The cycling world was left stunned this morning after Tadej Pogačar, one of the sport’s modern icons, unleashed an emotional outburst during an interview that sent shockwaves through the peloton. The usually calm and composed Slovenian champion erupted when once again compared to the legendary Eddy Merckx — a comparison that has followed him relentlessly for years. “I hate that comparison so much I could cry!” Pogačar exclaimed, his voice cracking with frustration. “Eddy Merckx is a legend. But I am not him, and I never will be. Every time I win, people bring up his name. Can’t I just be me?”
His reaction came shortly after journalists asked whether his dominance across multiple terrains — Grand Tours, Monuments, and one-day classics — made him “the modern Merckx.” The question, seemingly harmless, struck a nerve that had clearly been building for months. His reaction came shortly after journalists asked whether his dominance across multiple terrains — Grand Tours, Monuments, and one-day classics — made him “the modern Merckx.” The question, seemingly harmless, struck a nerve that had clearly been building for months. Pogačar’s emotional response didn’t end there. Moments later, he hinted that he might even skip Paris-Roubaix 2026, the one Monument still missing from his collection. “Maybe I just won’t ride it,” he said abruptly. “I don’t need to prove anything anymore. Every race shouldn’t be about chasing ghosts.”
Those words hit the cycling community like a thunderclap. Social media exploded within minutes. Fans, pundits, and former riders began debating whether the pressure of constant comparisons had finally taken its toll on the 27-year-old superstar. Many sympathized, calling him “a victim of his own brilliance,” while others questioned whether the statement was an emotional overreaction or a calculated message to critics. Pogačar’s comments have also reignited an old debate in cycling — whether modern riders can truly be compared to those from the past. Differences in training, technology, and race strategy make such comparisons nearly impossible. Yet, for fans and journalists hungry for legends, the temptation remains irresistible.
Meanwhile, the organizers of Paris-Roubaix have reached out privately, hoping to reassure Pogačar and ensure his participation. Losing him from the 2026 start list would be a major blow to the event’s prestige and global attention.
As the dust settles, one thing is clear: Pogačar’s fiery outburst has exposed the emotional weight of greatness. Behind every victory, every yellow jersey, and every record lies a man battling expectations larger than himself. Whether he ultimately decides to race in Roubaix or not, his words today have reminded the world that even champions bleed under the pressure of their own success.
For now, fans wait — not just to see if Pogačar returns to Paris-Roubaix, but to see whether the world will finally allow him to be what he’s always wanted: simply Tadej.
