Eddy Merckx on Tadej Pogačar's chances of winning a 5th Tour de France: 'Admire the way he wins races'
CyclingThursday, 02 July 2026 at 10:43
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Follow us on Google5-time Tour de France winner Eddy Merckx has been in the news a lot the past few years, for both good and bad reasons. The 81-year-old Belgian cycling legend has had ongoing health issues which he has been very open about, but in recent interviews with several media outlets, the smile is back on his face.
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Life is looking up again for Merckx after he went through a series of surgeries and hospital stays following a bicycle crash in 2024 that left him with a broken hip. He told Het Nieuwsblad that he underwent his latest surgery for an infection in April. He hopes to get back on his bike soon, and the doctor is optimistic.
Merckx spends a lot of time in Antwerp for his rehabilitation and also has a physical therapist come to his home. This week, however, he was in Brussels, where the watch brand Breitling launched an Eddy Merckx watch. The Belgian was clearly pleased with it and called it “a great honor.”
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Eddy Merckx, despite his physical problems, alongside Wout van Aert in the Tour de France.
Merckx would be happy to Pogačar tie and then break his Tour de France record
Naturally, the conversation in Brussels quickly turned to cycling, and in particular the upcoming Tour de France. After all, Merckx knows that if Tadej Pogačar (UAE Emirates-XRG) wins again this year, he’ll join an illustrious list of riders with five overall victories.
Jacques Anquetil, Bernard Hinault, Miguel Indurain, and of course Merckx—that’s where the list ends. However, Pogačar is welcome to join the ranks, according to Merckx. “He climbs so effortlessly; it’s a joy to watch. He’s definitely going to win the Tour de France five times, maybe even six.”
"I wouldn't mind if he matched or broke my record," said a cycling legend who clearly enjoys watching the dominant Pogacar in today's cycling peloton. "You can't help but admire the way he wins races."
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Tadej Pogacar
Merckx enjoys watching Pogačar, but he also enjoyed watching Van Aert
Merckx hopes the Tour de France will be exciting, but even though he sees a strong Jonas Vingegaard (Visma | Lease a Bike), Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM), and Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe), he fears a monotonous Tour with Pogačar.
Merckx doesn't mind that at all, because he simply enjoys watching Pogačar ride. Still, he was also (figuratively speaking) on the edge of his seat when Wout van Aert beat the Slovenian at Paris-Roubaix.
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Eddy Merckx is happy to have Lotte Kopecky as his daughter-in-law
The best news of all for the Merckx family this year didn’t come from the world of cycling or a watch store, but from within their own family. Their son, Axel Merckx, proposed to Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime) a while ago, and the two tied the knot in May.
It was also through Ambassador Kopecky that Breitling came into contact with Merckx. “Of course I’m happy to have Lotte as my daughter-in-law. It’s my son’s choice, and I can only applaud it. I hope she, too, has a wonderful Tour de France. I’m rooting for her.”
David Bavin-HobbsChief Editor
David has been working in the sports & cycling industry for 16 years. Covering racing, business and technology, he has worked in communications for cycling companies, teams, and as a journalist. His proudest achievement is winning the first bike race he ever entered. He hasn't won a race since.
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Latest Comments
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