Tadej Pogacar hailed as 'greatest cyclist of all time' by Alberto Contador and Eddy Merckx in new documentary
Tadej Pogacar has been hailed as “the greatest cyclist of all time” by Spanish legend Alberto Contador in a new documentary charting the UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider's remarkable rise to the top. The Anatomy of a G.O.A.T is a series being shown on Eurosport, TNT Sports and HBO Max that analyses the best of the best in the sporting world, with the first programme looking at Slovenian superstar…
Spanish cycling legend Alberto Contador and Belgian champion Eddy Merckx have jointly declared 28-year-old Slovenian superstar Tadej Pogacar to be "the greatest cyclist of all time" in a new documentary series titled Anatomy of a G.O.A.T. Premiering on Eurosport, TNT Sports and HBO Max, the first episode of the show dives deep into the extraordinary journey of Pogacar, who has just clinched a record-equalling fifth Tour de France title this season.
The 13-time Monument winner, Pogacar, found himself on the brink of claiming his inaugural Vuelta a España title when a catastrophic crash derailed his championship charge just last August. Throughout the documentary, viewers are given a rare glimpse into Pogacar's mind and motivations, including candid interviews with his parents and fellow riders, as well as the athlete himself.
The documentary, produced by Cycling on TNT Sports, emphasizes the scientific analysis of Pogacar's performance and success. Contador and Merckx, both acknowledged as all-time greats, are unanimous in their appraisal of Pogacar's rare talent. Contador, a seven-time Grand Tour champion, believes that Pogacar's drive to win everything is unparalleled, likening his ambition to that of Usain Bolt.
Merckx, an 81-year-old cycling legend, even goes so far as to concede that Pogacar has now surpassed him in terms of dominance and superiority. The 81-year-old, known as "The Cannibal" for his insatiable hunger for victory during his own illustrious career, marvels at Pogacar's fearless approach to racing, particularly when he dons the yellow jersey at the Tour de France.
Belgian cycling virtuoso Geraint Thomas, a 2018 Tour de France winner, recalls a memorable encounter with Pogacar during a training ride in Liege. Thomas was astounded by Pogacar's unparalleled fitness, as the younger rider effortlessly cruised along at over 400 watts while Thomas battled to keep pace.
Thomas' insights are echoed by Pogacar's mother, Marjeta, who paints a picture of a cheerful, carefree youngster who found joy in all aspects of life. Marjeta highlights that Pogacar's competitive spirit permeated throughout his family, with sibling rivalries that extended beyond the confines of the sporting arena.
Despite his meteoric rise and numerous accolades, Pogacar remains grounded and humble, playing down the notion that he is driven solely by a desire to win everything. He emphasizes the importance of cherishing each moment and race, and expressing gratitude for whatever comes next in his cycling journey.
Written by urgent.news from The National UAE's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
