The great cyclist Eddy Merckx joined the chorus of praise for Tadej Pogachar's performance in the Tour of Flanders, becoming only the third Slovenian rider in history to win both the Tour de France and the Ronde, joining Merckx and Luison Bove. [Merckx wrote in La Dèrniere Heure (open in new tab)], "He won with flair and style. [Merckx told La Dèniere Heure (open in new tab). I don't question myself. That's real cycling, and that's what people love about cycling. Taddei is an extraordinary rider, and if he wanted to, he would have an enormous palma"

Not wishing to directly contrast his own accomplishments with those of Pogachar, Merckx said, "You can't compare my generation with modern cycling, but it is clear that Pogachar can win it all. Even Paris-Roubaix is, on paper, the most unsuitable race for him."

He also said.

Merckx was equally candid when speaking to the Flemish media, telling Het Nieuwsblad (opens in new tab) that "since Sunday afternoon in Oudenaarde, Taddey has entered the history of the sport."

"He is not a rider run by computer data, a trend that has dominated the sport too much in recent years. His presence in this type of race is a blessing for cycling fans."

"He's a great example of a rider who is not afraid to take a risk.

Apart from being confident that Pogachar, 24, can repeat his victory in Flanders, winning five monuments in his career, Merckx said that the other riders in the Ronde, especially second place Mathieu Van der Pol (Alpecin-Desseuninck) and fifth-place finisher Nielson Powles (EF Education Easy Post) were praised.

"He [Van der Pol] raced very skillfully, but Taddei was a bit better. Neilson Powles is a debutant who was racing as an U23 for my son's team. He is a first-class athlete."

Merckx described DSM's strategy of running in a group and slow pace in Corte Caire as "dangerous." He was also scathing about fourth-placed Wout Van Aert (Jumbo Visma), saying, "He didn't have the legs to keep up with the big attacks. He would regret not winning in Ghent-Wevelgem at a time like that." But," Merckx concluded, "that was his choice."