![\"Tadej](\"https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-2292464270.jpg\")
<\/p>\nTadej Poga\u010dar is dominating the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a and reveals which legends he measures himself against as he closes in on the grand tour sweep.<\/p>\n
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Poga\u010dar spoke about the cycling gods who he wants to emulate. (Photo: Alexander Hassenstein\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Published August 28, 2026 01:01PM<\/p>\n
Tadej Poga\u010dar<\/a> is often compared to Eddy Merckx<\/a>, but when he measures his own place in cycling history<\/a>, the Slovenian superstar isn\u2019t looking quite that far back.<\/p>\n The generational great revealed Friday he has another measuring stick than the Belgian GOAT.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t really look into that,\u201d Poga\u010dar said. \u201cI know that Merckx won so many races that I probably will never reach in my life, but it was completely different races also, they had every crit race and small race counting as a victory. It\u2019s tough to judge that far back.<\/p>\n \u201cI would rather look at the palmar\u00e8s of Tom Boonen, Fabian Cancellara, Chris Froome or Alberto Contador, because it\u2019s a bit more close to me than Eddy Merckx\u2019s palmar\u00e8s or anyone from that era.\u201d<\/p>\n The comment Friday comes as Poga\u010dar is deep into an untouchable run stretching across three seasons when \u2014 just like Merckx \u2014 he seems to win just about every race he starts.<\/p>\n Poga\u010dar typically brushes off questions about his own place in cycling history.<\/p>\n Friday\u2019s answer hinted that Poga\u010dar \u2014 now undeniably the greatest rider in the modern era \u2014 is at least giving some thought to where he fits in even if everyone else already knows it.<\/p>\n Coming close to Merckx with half the race days Pog\u2019s comments also come after some controversy during this summer\u2019s Tour de France, when disgraced former Tour champion Lance Armstrong suggested Poga\u010dar was chasing \u201chis\u201d record of seven Tour victories.<\/p>\n Poga\u010dar largely brushed off the Armstrong noise at the Tour, but his answer Friday at the Vuelta offered a rare glimpse into how he views his own place in the pantheon of cycling gods.<\/p>\n And the comments also come as Poga\u010dar is also discussing his long-term future with UAE Emirates-XRG, with talks underway about extending his current contract beyond 2030.<\/p>\n His agent Alex Carera told Velo this week that no agreement has been finalized<\/a> and that discussions are still ongoing.<\/p>\n At 27, with five Tours de France, one Giro, and a growing collection of monuments and world titles already behind him, Poga\u010dar potentially has years left to reshape the record books.<\/p>\n Unlike Merckx, who raced upward of 100 days a year and also raced cyclocross and track, Poga\u010dar races a lean, modern calendar of between 50 and 60 days.<\/p>\n That he\u2019s even closing in on some of Merckx\u2019s records reveals just how extraordinary his numbers already are.<\/p>\n \u2018We\u2019re here to win, not fool around\u2019<\/p>\n
\n![\"Tadej](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Vuelta-Espana-2026-Stage-7-6824.jpg\"\/)
The Spanish fans are turning out in droves for Poga\u010dar. (Photo: Harry Talbot\/Gruber Images)<\/p>\n