International media spots striking similarity between Merckx and 'heir' Pogacar

It promised to be exciting. Mathieu van der Poel was better than ever, and with Milan-Sanremo in the back of his mind, the duel with Tadej Pogacar should be just as beautiful. But the world champion showed he is unbeatable in the Tour of Flanders. The solo effort he pulled off left cycling fans stunned and speechless. The media were also at a loss for words to describe the winner.

The French newspaper L'Équipe called Pogacar's attack "as predictable as it was irresistible. Tadej Pogacar is not the type to bluff or play tricks. There is no need for that." The comparison with two years ago was quickly made, and that makes sense: Pogacar dropped the same riders from his wheel in the same place. "The 2023 race against the same opponents had worked out well - that's an understatement - but on this Sunday in April, when the cobblestones were dry, unlike in previous years, the world champion still performed a magic trick."

"Just like in 2023, Tadej Pogacar threw his first 'bomb' during the second of three passages, more than 50 kilometers from the finish. He did this as soon as his group entered the cobblestones and even a little earlier to take full advantage of the hill's length and the steepest slopes at the beginning. This time, he failed in isolating himself, not even temporarily, but the effect was the same: his main opponents were warned that each new hill would be an opportunity to torture them."

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Italy sees striking similarity with Merckx

In Italy, they did not make the comparison with two years ago. They thought of something else: they saw a reincarnation of Eddy Merckx dashing over the cobblestones. "His second victory in Flanders, after the one in 2023. And this time as world champion," La Gazzetta writes. "His eighth Monument and no one in history has ever done that at age 26. Only five riders have won more. He is now the only one with Eddy Merckx to have won the Tour de France and the Tour of Flanders twice. Eddy won his second on April 6, 1975, 50 years ago. He also won as world champion and as reigning king of the Tour."

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"Best cyclist of the century," says the media in Spain

The Spanish newspaper Marca could only praise the two-time winner, who towers above the sport with his achievements and racing style. "His wild locks stick out from the cracks in his helmet, dust swirls in the air, and he accelerates, flying over the slopes, moving his shoulders violently on the cobblestones and dropping his opponents, getting smaller and smaller on the television screen, without looking back. Defeated. Captivated by the power of a giant who imposes his will whenever he wants to."

Like their Italian colleagues, the comparison with The Cannibal was inevitable. "On the Oude Kwaremont, the best cyclist of the century was crowned again with a new high-energy attack, which van der Poel could not respond to. Just like in 2023, the Slovenian put his great opponent on the sidelines to conquer his eighth monument solo. Even the headwind could not slow the emperor's momentum. An impressive image that has become part of cycling lore. Something that transcends the bicycle by the heir to Eddy Merckx."

Read also

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