He was also the first man since Eddy Merckx in 1975 to win three Monuments, the Tour de France and a world title in the same season.<\/p>\n
“We\u2019ve witnessed an incredible spectacle,” Contador said in an interview with Spanish outlet Marca<\/a>. <\/p>\n “He [Pogacar] was clearly superior in the Tour. He\u2019s an athlete who is redefining the sport.”<\/p>\n Pogacar, 27, sent out an ominous warning to his rivals after winning the UEC Road European Championships <\/a>in October, claiming that he intends “to be a better version of myself” in 2026<\/a>.<\/p>\n But Contador suggested two-time Tour de France winner Jonas Vingegaard remains genuine competition for Pogacar heading into the 2026 season.<\/p>\n “It’s difficult, but there’s Vingegaard. He knows what it’s like to win [the Tour] twice, he’s meticulous, cool, absolutely professional. If anyone can upset Tadej, it’s him.”<\/p>\n Vingegaard recovers from tumble to clinch Criterium Saitama victory<\/p>\n Video credit: TNT Sports<\/p>\n Pogacar’s consistent brilliance has earned him comparisons with the legendary Merckx, professional cycling’s most successful rider with 525 race wins to his name across the 1960s and 70s.<\/p>\n But Contador claimed the eras are too different to truly compare.<\/p>\n “It’s a constant question… but it’s a mistake to approach it that way,” he said. “These are different times, today we compete half as much, we can’t compare numbers. <\/p>\n “Let’s enjoy Pogacar. He’s unique. Every race with him is a gift.”<\/p>\n Reflecting on 2025 and some memorable races, Contador added: “It’s been a beautiful year. All the Classics have been fiercely contested.”<\/p>\n He also highlighted Mathieu van der Poel’s intense battle with Pogacar at Paris-Roubaix as a standout moment.<\/p>\n Highlights: Van der Poel conquers ‘Hell of the North’ again, Pogacar second after crash<\/p>\n Video credit: TNT Sports<\/p>\n “Those duels are truly memorable,” he said. “For the Tour winner to decide to enter the hell of Paris-Roubaix, to take risks, to get his hands dirty, to put everything on the line…that’s cycling that really gets under your skin.”<\/p>\n Contador, 42, was the last Spaniard to win a Grand Tour general classification, but he is optimistic about the country’s current crop of riders.<\/p>\n “It\u2019s exciting,” he said. “We have a tremendous crop of talent: [Juan] Ayuso, Carlos Rodriguez – who has been more unlucky than he should have been – [Adria] Pericas, Pablo Torres\u2026 and veterans like Enric [Mas] or [Mikel] Landa who can still make waves. <\/p>\n “I just ask for time. And patience. But the direction is good.”<\/p>\n Contador was also quizzed on discussions of reducing Grand Tours from three weeks to two, and his opinion was clear.<\/p>\n “No,” he responded. “It would be losing part of its essence. <\/p>\n “I was a runner who exploded in the third week. How can you compare two with three? That’s where the romance lies. The epic. The territory where only the chosen ones survive.”<\/p>\n![\"picture\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-01701a2c-2c51-4e14-8637-009f6fa9a00f-85-2560-1440.jpeg\")
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