Contador praises Van der Poel and Evenepoel and sees Vingegaard as the man to challenge Pogacar: "If anyone, it's him"

Without racing, it already feels like an eternity ago, but the highlights of cycling year 2025 are still well remembered by many. Like Alberto Contador, for example, who enjoyed the spectacle to the fullest. The Spaniard talks you through the year, finding the dominance of Tadej Pogacar absolutely not boring and praising Remco Evenepoel and Mathieu van der Poel for their racing style.

"It was a wonderful year," the former tour winner begins his story at Marca. The Spaniard enjoyed basically the entire cycling year. "All the classics were fiercely fought," Contador concluded about the spring. Of those, the duels of Van der Poel and Pogacar really impressed him. "Those duels are really memorable," he said.

Especially in Paris-Roubaix, that duel provided spectacle. Pogacar ventured into the Hell of the North for the first time this year and he put on a show. It was a crash that caused him to have to let Van der Poel go, but viewers enjoyed it. Contador, too. "The fact that the Tour winner decides to go into the hell of Paris-Roubaix, take risks, get his hands dirty, put everything on the line ... that is cycling that really touches you."

Contador also enjoyed the GT's. "We have seen an incredible spectacle," said the Spaniard, who once again cannot ignore the name of Tadej Pogacar. "He was clearly superior in the Tour. He is an athlete who is redefining the sport," he said about the world champion.

With apparent ease, and especially a remarkably conservative third week, Pogacar went on to win his fourth Tour this summer. If it all stays the same, a fifth Tour win seems likely next summer. Who will challenge the Slovenian in the Tour of 2026? "It is difficult, but Vingegaard is obviously there. He knows what it's like to win twice. He is cool-headed and absolutely professional. If anyone can challenge Tadej, it's him."

This year's Tour did not see a duel between Pogacar and Evenepoel, as the Belgian had to abandon on stage fourteen. Still, Contador praised the rider who left for Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, especially for his way of racing. "What he did at the Worlds was insane. That's how you race when you're not afraid to lose."

The Spanish former rider thus enjoyed cycling year 2025 to the fullest. The only question is: How can the riders top it next year? "Asking them to match it is almost too much to ask. It's getting harder and harder for them to surprise us.... the only thing missing is an attack from the neutral zone," he actually sounds quite serious.

At least Pogi' s dominant year has reignited the greatest of all time discussion. So, Contador, tell us: Tadej Pogacar or Eddy Merckx? "It's a constant question.... but it's a mistake to approach it that way. They are different eras. Nowadays we race half as much. We can't compare numbers. Let's enjoy Pogacar. He is unique. Every race with him is a gift," he concluded.