Mycampusplug
Stephen Roche Hails Tadej Pogačar as ‘The Greatest of His Time’ but Hesitates on GOAT Status
Cycling legend Stephen Roche has joined the chorus of praise for Tadej Pogačar, describing the Slovenian sensation as “the greatest of his time.” However, Roche hesitated to anoint the 26-year-old as the greatest of all time (GOAT), citing the need for longevity and historical perspective in such discussions.
Roche, who won both the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia in 1987, is no stranger to greatness. He spoke highly of Pogačar’s incredible talent and achievements, which have already seen him dominate the modern cycling scene. With two Tour de France victories, numerous one-day classics—including back-to-back triumphs at Il Lombardia—and an Olympic medal, Pogačar has quickly established himself as a generational talent.
“Pogačar is an extraordinary rider, without a doubt,” Roche said. “He has everything: speed, endurance, climbing ability, and a racing instinct that’s thrilling to watch. He’s the greatest of his time, yes. But the greatest ever? That takes something more—consistency over a longer period and, of course, comparisons with other greats from different eras.
Pogačar’s ascent to stardom has been meteoric. He won his first Tour de France in 2020 at just 21 years old, following it up with another victory in 2021. Even when he was narrowly defeated by Jonas Vingegaard in the last two editions of the Tour, Pogačar’s resilience and aggressive racing earned him admiration from fans and rivals alike.
Roche acknowledged that Pogačar’s talent and results make him one of the most exciting riders of the modern era. “He’s brought something special back to cycling—he races to win, not just to play it safe. That’s something we haven’t seen in a long time,” he said.
Despite his admiration for Pogačar, Roche was cautious when addressing the inevitable comparisons with cycling’s greatest icons, including Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, and Jacques Anquetil. “Every era has its challenges and its heroes. Eddy [Merckx] dominated in a way that’s hard to replicate today because the sport has changed so much,” Roche explained.
Roche also pointed to the importance of longevity in the GOAT debate. “You can’t crown someone after a few great seasons. It’s about sustained excellence over a decade or more. Pogačar is still young, and he has plenty of time to reach those heights.”
While the GOAT title may remain elusive for now, Pogačar’s career is far from over. With his aggressive style, versatile skill set, and hunger for victory, the Slovenian star is well on his way to becoming one of the sport’s all-time greats. As Roche noted, “The sky’s the limit for him. If he continues on this path, we could be looking at someone who redefines the sport.”
For cycling fans, Pogačar’s journey is a thrilling story in the making—one that might, in time, see him cement his place at the pinnacle of the sport alongside the legends he is already being compared to. For now, though, even being called “the greatest of his time” by a champion like Stephen Roche is an accolade few riders could dream of achieving.
