In road cycling terms, the 2024 Paris Olympic Games have undoubtedly been the games of Remco Evenepoel. After the Belgian edged to gold ahead of Filippo Ganna in last weekend’s time trial, Evenepoel powered to a stunning solo success on Saturday afternoon the men’s elite road race.
One of those excited Belgian fans watching from home was none other than the great Eddy Merckx, the man many consider the greatest cyclist of all time. Reflecting on what he’d witnessed in conversation with the daily newspaper La Dernière Heure/Les Sports however, ‘The Cannibal’ showered his younger compatriot with some very lofty praise.
“On Saturday, Remco Evenepoel was stronger than me. What he achieved is exceptional,” begins Merckx, who has an incredible 276 professional wins on his palmares according to Pro Cycling Stats. “What he did was simply historic. I was jumping up and down in my chair. I was like an ordinary fan: completely in awe of his performance.”
Merckx, a five time Tour de France winner in his own right, was especially impressed by the form Evenepoel has been showing just a few weeks removed from his Tour debut, in which the Soudal – Quick-Step leader finished 3rd overall behind Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard.
“When he came out of the Tour de France, I expected him to shine at these Olympic Games. But he managed to surprise me. Physically, Remco is way above the rest,” Merckx notes. “When he attacks 35 kilometres from the finish and takes a few riders with him, I understand that he is going to win. They were all flat out on his wheel, unable to take over. And then, you saw how easily he managed to leave Valentin Madouas behind! They weren’t even on a climb. No, really, on Saturday, he was stronger than me.”
“I don’t see what could prevent him from achieving the double at the World Championships in Zurich on a course that suits him,” concludes the 79-year-old Belgian. “If he’s in the same shape as today, even Tadej Pogacar will have difficulty beating him.”
