Teams & Riders Pogačar as GOAT: already, never, or when?

[Froome]

It must be hard being a Pog hater. I mean if you’d have to choose to hate one rider, from the satisfactory rate POV - to choose Pog is a really bad choice. And all you and @Berniece are left with is Merckx. The final frontier. The impenetrable fortress of greatness never to be conquered by another living soul… But guess what… Each year that passes by, the voices are louder. First they were a mere subtle whispers, hinting the possible similarity. Couple of years later, we are talking Pog vs Merckx on daily basis. This really isn’t going your way, that’s all I’m saying…

There's only one rider who i hate, and that's Philipsen.

I don't agree with that conversation, it's quite premature when there's a significant list of riders in the history of cycling who have a better palmares than Pogacar and probably will still prevail with a better palmares than him. I think that conversation it's quite disrespectful to riders like Hinault, or Indurain.

 

[Berniece]

I assume you did watch a lot of races back then, so your above 50 something?

Since your clearly so mature and objective in all your responses to Pogacar non stop, and clearly no small d energy towards him at all , a piece of advice since its beyond obv, just let it rest it will be better for you and life will be better, just a advice.

"Pog is on G.O.A.T status" - Geraint Thomas puts Tadej Pogacar on a par with legendary Eddy Merckx

After another incredible performance from Tadej Poga

cyclinguptodate.com

The peleton has spoken from Gilbert, Thomas to Contador it says it all way more than biased fans here anyway, if were keeping it real I mean.

And indeed Merckx is the goat for me too tho I didnt see him race but just from what he won, tho ive read he competed in a era where cycling is far less specialized and competetive where riders drank wine during stages, thats the problem with so different eras in all sports.. Pogiman is already best which clearly many already say. Difference betwen best and greatest tho yes. Also hes only 25 still..

You just pick out what you like to read in that article. Because the only thing myself, and Froome are saying is the same as Rowe.

"He's in that category and been in there a couple of years but to be in that level of 'God Tier' riders he's got to do it for a few more years if we're going to put him on the same shelf or similar shelf as Merckx," Rowe responds.

 

[velaso montador]

You just pick out what you like to read in that article. Because the only thing myself, and Froome are saying is the same as Rowe.

"He's in that category and been in there a couple of years but to be in that level of 'God Tier' riders he's got to do it for a few more years if we're going to put him on the same shelf or similar shelf as Merckx," Rowe responds.

Never seen riders talk about merckx with others riders tho ive not been in cycling where that has happen seriously before thats all. Same as me too I agree with everything there. I too think Merckx is goat. Its all good.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Of course Pogacar is nowhere near Merckx when we talk about GOAT status. Pogacar needs more big wins to be the number one. I think it all depends on Vingegaard. Pogacar with 5 Tours, 3 Giros and 1 Vuelta and more big classics (like the world championship and 5 or 6 monuments), he is the GOAT but I can't see him winning 5 Tours.

 

[Berniece]

Of course Pogacar is nowhere near Merckx when we talk about GOAT status. Pogacar needs more big wins to be the number one. I think it all depends on Vingegaard. Pogacar with 5 Tours, 3 Giros and 1 Vuelta and more big classics (like the world championship and 5 or 6 monuments), he is the GOAT but I can't see him winning 5 Tours.

If Vingegaard and Pogacar stay the best like they have been the past 2-3 years. I mean if the gap keeps to be this big with the next riders in GT's, I can see him win 5 Tours. It'll just be easier for Vingegaard because it's his only goal, while Pogacar goes for a much more diverse palmares.

 

[Blanco]

And Vingegaard is in my opinion a superior cyclist to Pigeon, Gimondi, Zoetmelk, and Poulidor.

To Pingeon he certainly is.
To Poulidor and Zoetemelk he could be.
To Gimondi, he needs much more.

 

[Roku]

And Vingegaard is in my opinion a superior cyclist to Pigeon, Gimondi, Zoetmelk, and Poulidor.

At the moment he would be inferior, palmares-wise, than Zoetemelk or Poulidor, let alone Gimondi who is lightyears away from Vingegaard.

 

[vwpe]

Each year that passes by, the voices are louder. First they were a mere subtle whispers, hinting the possible similarity. Couple of years later, we are talking Pog vs Merckx on daily basis.

I can comfirm from within cycling itself this already is the case. Pogacar is already from every SD to rider ive talked too on Merckx status. I get on a forum its some fans and if ur a remco fan, vinge fan or roglic, MvdP whoever it is, emotion are involved but this is the case already, Remco is the only one equiped to get on his level as hes properly number 2 overall already but its gonne be hard as the gap is huge.

But yes I can comfirm this is already the case within cycling, its talked about mentioned on a daily basis already.

 

[velaso montador]

Giro d'Italia: 'Modern Eddy Merckx' Tadej Pogacar delights experts with sprint leadout - 'Nail in the coffin' - Eurosport

Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) proved again he is the "modern Eddy Merckx" after his one-man sprint leadout on Stage 9 at the Giro d'Italia.

www.eurosport.com

Cannibal. Another one, Jonathan Vaughters is a prolifent figure in cycling. Impossible to not like the guy, just so crazy strong never seen anything like it.

 

[CyclistAbi]

'Tadej Pogačar is like me and Merckx' - Hinault praises Giro d'Italia leader for aggressive racing style

Five-time Tour de France winner says Pogačar does not 'gift' any victories

www.cyclingnews.com

The badger has spoken.

 

[Salvarani]

Reading some of Teddy's recent comments.

Tiberi is the only rider that so far showed some balls

In my opinion, it would have been better just to go how we wanted to the finish, but sometimes there’s too many people in the peloton saying that we need to share a piece of pie.

What a f**king legend!

Icon. Legend. GOAT.

 

[Panda Claws]

Depends on how long he plans to race and if he will have a long career.

Cav has had long career but a few years where he won close to nothing, just for the discussion. Whats his average per season?

Cavendish: 54 Wins in 18 seasons (starting in 2007) = 3 per season
Merckx: 64 Wins in 14 seasons = 4,6 per season
Pogacar: 18 Wins in 6 seasons = 3 per season

 

[Blanco]

Disgrace is losing a Tour because your teammate wants a third place...

No ***

I thought disgrace was losing two straight TdF with total difference of 10 minutes , while being constantly called greatest rider of all times!

 

[pihi42]

The Badger really was a GT machine. Arguably better than the man himself.

 

[BullsFan22]

Pogacar fans create invisible enemies. I said many times on this forum that Pogacar is the best all rounder rider of the peloton. I even said that one hour ago in another thread.

Now, this discussion about the GOAT really annoys me, but it's not because it's in Pogacar's thread, or because it's Pogacar. It would annoy me a lot if that happens in the thread of the other top riders.

This conversation about the "GOAT" annoys me seriously in the general of the sports, because people don't know the real meaning of the word "GOAT".

Now, i'm going to post here the definition of "GOAT".

"The greatest of all time : the most accomplished and successful individual in the history of a particular sport or category of performance or activity".

This is the definition of "GOAT". What annoys me is that people think "GOAT" means the best rider/sportsman at the moment. For god's sake, "GOAT" doesn't mean that!


This happens in all of sports.

I get very annoyed when the "bron fans" start to call lebron james as the "GOAT" when he isn't and will never be the "GOAT" of NBA.


Here is another example. I am a big fan of Nikola Jokic. He is clearly the best NBA player in the world since 2 years ago, but i don't see nobody call him "GOAT" because he isn't, and it would be ridiculous if i called him that.

I think cycling is a sport where the GOAT is well accepted by eveybody. Eddy Merckx.

You just wait, Jokić and Pogačar will be in the GOAT debate before their careers are over in their respective sports 😉😎

 

[Elos Anjos]

"Pogacar is the GOAT" is a justifiable statement because it's not about his current palmares but about what people generally think, regarding his abilities, skills and potential for development he can achieve.

 

[BullsFan22]

Jokic is the most skilled center ever and when we talk about peak he has the greatest offensive peak in NBA history

And like Pogačar, he doesn’t get enough praise because of where he’s from. Had both been Americans or French or Italian, for example, they would be more respected in western media. Just my observation of the last few years and my opinion.

 

[Berniece]

"Pogacar is the GOAT" is a justifiable statement because it's not about his current palmares but about what people generally think, regarding his abilities, skills and potential for development he can achieve.

It isn't. Are we going to call junior cyclists the GOAT if they completely destroy the opposition?

 

[SHAD0W93]

"Pogacar is the GOAT" is a justifiable statement because it's not about his current palmares but about what people generally think, regarding his abilities, skills and potential for development he can achieve.

But that would make him the BOAT, best of all time due to those things. Like for a period Brady was considered the GOAT but Rodgers the BOAT with Mahomes taking that spot.

 

[Salvarani]

"Pogacar is the GOAT" is a justifiable statement because it's not about his current palmares but about what people generally think, regarding his abilities, skills and potential for development he can achieve.

Bingo.

 

[snipeheem]

It isn't. Are we going to call junior cyclists the GOAT if they completely destroy the opposition?

U know Michael Jordan was call the GOAT after 4 seasons in NBA? He didnt even win championship and half of the league call him goat

 

[Salvarani]

It isn't. Are we going to call junior cyclists the GOAT if they completely destroy the opposition?

Isnt that literally what yall did to a certain rider?

At least Pog can back it up, is regarded as such by his peers and past riders. GOAT.

 

[Elos Anjos]

But that would make him the BOAT, best of all time due to those things. Like for a period Brady was considered the GOAT but Rodgers the BOAT with Mahomes taking that spot.

He's currently boating for 4-5 years in the UCI rankings.
GOAT is a statement about the present and the future palmares of Pogacar.

 

[bNator]

He's currently boating for 4-5 years in the UCI rankings.
GOAT is a statement about the present and the future palmares of Pogacar.

Exactly. I think everyone knows Pog is not GOAT at this very moment. However if he can continue this insanity (and that's a big if) until his early-to-mid 30s, then he will be in contention for the GOAT status. And that's exciting. We are living in a time where it actually seems possible someone might achieve similar palmares to f**** Merckx!

I'm not even that huge of a fan of Pog - I'll be rooting for Rogla to kick his ass in TdF. But you can't deny historical significance of what he's doing - not just the results he's making but the way he's making them...

 

[Berniece]

Yawn. How about you start by granting other users a spark of intelligence?

When you have Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and other riders in the peloton (Geraint Thomas, Damiano Caruso, MVDP) praising Pogi's uncanny abilities I would say that's a tad different from a "junior rider destroying the opposition".

How about you don't immediately feel attacked when someone disagrees with you? Keep it about the topic, instead of making it personal.

I'm just saying that as long as you don't have the palmares, you can't be called the GOAT. Not to mention this GOAT wasn't even able to win the TDF the past 2 years. Maybe start with winning that this year, and thus the double, before even being remotely mentioned in the same sentence as Merckx.

U know Michael Jordan was call the GOAT after 4 seasons in NBA? He didnt even win championship and half of the league call him goat

Because they didn't have someone like Merckx before him.