Eddy Merckx believes that Bradley Wiggins would be a complete champion should the British Tour de France winner secure titles in Paris-Roubaix and the Hour Record.
Wiggins is targeting the Classics this spring before ending his WorldTour career with Team Sky. Paris-Roubaix forms the cornerstone of his cobbled ambitions as he looks to step down from the top of professional road racing with a Monument win.
“Wiggins is more motivated now and he’s a complete rider,” Merckx told Cyclingnews at the recent Tour of Qatar.
“He’s been good in the mountains and he can ride over the cobbles. He’s maybe not as good on the climbs as he was because he’s put on some weight but that’s given him more power and that’s going to be important for the spring.”
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Team Sky and Wiggins have conquered the Tour de France together, winning the race in 2012 before the British team returned in 2013 for their second straight title, courtesy of Chris Froome. Despite Grand Tour successes the team have struggled to find the right blend and formula in one-day racing. Podiums in the Classics have been few and far between and although they have won important one-day races in Belgium, success in one of cycling’s monuments still alludes them.
“Paris-Roubaix is a race where it’s every man for himself. If you’re good on the pave then you just need that little bit of luck so that you don’t have a flat at a bad moment,” said Merckx, who won Roubaix on three occasions during his incredible career.
“He’ll be there for sure and if he wins there, for his career, and goes on to take the Hour Record, that will make him a big champion, a very complete champion.”
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