His voice is less powerful than it once was, marked by the difficulties of recent months, but when he talks about cycling, Eddy Merckx's eyes shine again like those of the champion who changed the history of this sport. In his home, the "Cannibal" granted an exclusive interview to the Belgian press to analyze the Tour de France just concluded, the one that saw Tadej Pogacar claim his fifth Grande Boucle and equal the record of the Belgian great himself.

Merckx, still recovering from the serious cycling accident in December 2024 and several hip surgeries, says he can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.

"I'm doing a bit better. Finally. Over the last eight or ten days I've been walking normally, without crutches. I still have some joint pain, especially when I get up after sitting for a long time, but I continue physiotherapy twice a week, do rehabilitation at home and can even pedal a bit on the stationary bike. I feel I'm finally on the right track".

Then the conversation inevitably shifts to the man who today shares with him the record of five Tour de France victories. Merckx is not surprised by the Slovenian's triumph. In fact, he considers it merely a stage in a dominance destined to continue for a long time.

"I suspected for some time that he would reach five. And in my opinion he won't stop there. If he maintains this level and continues to have the same motivation, I easily see him winning the Tour de France seven or eight times. He is by far superior to everyone else".

What strikes the Belgian most is the naturalness with which Pogacar manages to make the difference. "He seems to come from another planet. He does everything with impressive ease. While others are at their limit, he seems to caress the pedals. He crosses the finish line without even appearing to be out of breath. In a three-week race he has no real rivals. If I had to use an image I'd say he flies above everyone else. We were slaves to the road, but he is an acrobat of the road. He does what he wants, when he wants".

The perfect example, according to Merckx, came right in the Alps. "Just look at what he did on Alpe d'Huez, when he dropped everyone with disarming ease. And the next day he raced with the handbrake on just to help Isaac Del Toro keep third place. Frankly, it impresses me. Riders like this are rarely seen in history. We simply have to enjoy the spectacle". In recent months some have argued that Pogacar's dominance makes the Tour less exciting. Merckx firmly rejects this theory.

"That's all nonsense. On the contrary, a champion like Pogacar is good for cycling, just as it happens in other great sports. Moreover, he's a spectacle to watch on a bike. He pedals with incredible naturalness, he seems perfect".

The comparison with his own career, however, according to Merckx makes no sense. "I'm not saying he's better than me, because we belong to completely different eras. I raced almost two hundred days a year, with completely different bikes and materials. He probably will never reach winning 525 races like I did. But that doesn't mean I consider myself superior. They are simply two different cycling eras and I can only admire everything he has achieved".

For Merckx, Pogacar now needs an even greater challenge. "He should try to win all three Grand Tours in the same season. Today the calendar allows it. If UAE prepares everything in detail from winter, I don't see why he couldn't manage it. It would be a shame if a talent like that didn't attempt such an feat".

Among all the young riders at the Tour just concluded, the one who has won the Cannibal's heart is Paul Seixas. The nineteen-year-old Frenchman finished his first Tour in fourth place, coming close to the podium and becoming the youngest rider in history to wear the white jersey.

"One day he could be the one to challenge Pogacar. Not in 2027, but in a few years, yes. For next year I already see him on the Tour podium. What he did at nineteen years old is simply incredible. He missed the podium only the day before arriving in Paris. You have to understand the magnitude of this achievement".

Merckx sees in the Frenchman the only rider capable, in perspective, of approaching the Slovenian's level. "At the moment no one can even put him in difficulty. In fact, no one really tries. And that's a shame".

Words of great esteem also for Remco Evenepoel, second place in Paris. "He rode an excellent Tour. He improved in every aspect and confirmed he is the world's best time trialist. For this reason I continue to think that one day he will also break the hour record".

The Cannibal, however, believes the Belgian still has room for growth. "He must have more confidence in his abilities and be even more courageous. In the penultimate stage I think he could have won, but he should have attacked earlier. Pogacar was working for Del Toro and that was the right opportunity".

As for the dream of the yellow jersey, Merckx remains realistic. "As long as Pogacar is at the start of the Tour to win it, I believe no one will be able to beat him. That goes for everyone. Perhaps, one day, only Paul Seixas might seriously try. I really like that kid".

The last answer comes almost interrupting the question. When suspicions that periodically accompany Pogacar's feats are mentioned, Merckx leaves no room for interpretation.

"That's all nonsense. Pogacar is simply one of those extraordinary talents that cycling gives us from time to time. Instead of always looking for something negative, we should enjoy what he's doing. Because we are witnessing something unique".

Words that carry weight like boulders. Spoken by someone who, with 525 victories since he started racing and five Tour de France titles, continues to represent the absolute reference point of world cycling. And if Eddy Merckx himself sees in Tadej Pogacar a champion destined to win again, then perhaps the history of the Grande Boucle is far from over.