Stephen Roche: ‘Hopefully I Can Personally Hand Pogačar the Keys to the ‘Triple Crown of Cycling’ Club’
In the vast and storied history of professional cycling, very few have managed to reach the pinnacle of success across the three most prestigious races in the sport. The exclusive “Triple Crown of Cycling” is a club that, to date, has only two members: the legendary Belgian Eddy Merckx, who achieved the feat in 1974, and Ireland’s own Stephen Roche, who completed it in 1987. Winning the Giro d’Italia, the Tour de France, and the UCI Road World Championship all in the same season is considered one of the greatest accomplishments in cycling, requiring not only supreme talent but a near-superhuman combination of endurance, tactical mastery, and mental fortitude.
In recent years, there has been growing anticipation that a new rider may soon join this illustrious group—Tadej Pogačar. The Slovenian sensation has dazzled the cycling world since his breakout Tour de France victory in 2020 and has continued to dominate, winning prestigious races across the calendar. Given his exceptional talent and versatility, many—including Roche himself—believe that Pogačar could be the next rider to achieve the Triple Crown.
Stephen Roche’s 1987 season is the stuff of legend. He began his year with a triumph at the Giro d’Italia, fending off stiff competition, including his teammate Roberto Visentini, in a dramatic and controversial race. That victory set the tone for a historic season.
Roche followed up his Giro success with a phenomenal performance at the Tour de France, where he solidified his place in cycling history by becoming the first Irishman to win the yellow jersey. Battling through intense mountain stages and enduring a career-defining struggle with the Spanish climber Pedro Delgado, Roche’s win in Paris remains one of the most iconic moments in cycling.
The crowning glory came later that year at the UCI Road World Championships in Villach, Austria. Roche powered through a demanding course and outlasted the top riders of his era to secure the rainbow jersey. With this victory, Roche completed the Triple Crown, an achievement that has stood the test of time as one of the sport’s most elusive accomplishments.
In a recent interview, Stephen Roche spoke with admiration about Tadej Pogačar, noting the striking similarities between the Slovenian’s skill set and his own during his prime years. “Pogačar is an all-around rider,” Roche remarked. “He can climb, time-trial, and he’s got a strong sprint for a climber. He’s versatile, and he seems to have a great head on his shoulders. It’s those qualities that are essential if you want to aim for the Triple Crown.”
Since bursting onto the professional scene, Pogačar has made rapid progress in establishing himself as a modern cycling great. At only 21, he won his first Tour de France in 2020, dominating in both the mountains and the time trials, a rare combination of skills reminiscent of Roche’s own capabilities. He followed that up with another Tour de France title in 2021, further solidifying his place at the top of the sport.
In 2023, Pogačar added another major triumph to his palmarès, winning the Giro di Lombardia for a second time, showcasing his abilities in the one-day classics, as well as in Grand Tours. Although Pogačar is yet to attempt the elusive Triple Crown within a single season, many—including Roche—believe that it is only a matter of time.
Achieving the Triple Crown is no small feat. Beyond the physical demands, there are tactical and scheduling complexities. The Grand Tours—Giro d’Italia and Tour de France—are grueling races, each spanning three weeks, with a limited recovery period between them. And then there’s the World Championships, a one-day race that presents its own set of challenges: the unpredictability of tactics, the varied terrain, and the fact that it typically comes at the end of a long season when fatigue is a major factor.
“I can tell you from personal experience, the toughest part of the Triple Crown isn’t just winning each race,” Roche noted. “It’s being in top form at exactly the right moments, dealing with the pressures from different teams, and managing your body’s recovery between races. The mental strength required is enormous.”
Pogačar has already shown that he can handle pressure—his victory in the 2020 Tour de France, where he overcame a time deficit to win on the penultimate stage, is proof of his resilience. His 2021 and 2022 campaigns demonstrated a maturity beyond his years, as he carefully managed his form and energy across a demanding calendar. Now, as he continues to evolve as a rider, there’s a growing belief that he could take on the challenge of attempting the Triple Crown.
While the cycling community watches Pogačar’s career with excitement, perhaps no one is more eager to see him join the Triple Crown club than Stephen Roche himself. “I’d love to see him do it,” Roche said. “I remember how special it was for me to achieve the Triple Crown in 1987. It’s something that connects me forever to Eddy Merckx, and it’s a huge honor to have done something only one other person has.”
“If Pogačar manages to win the Giro, the Tour, and the Worlds in the same year, I hope I’m there to personally hand him the keys to the club,” Roche added with a smile. “It would be a great moment for cycling, and I think Eddy [Merckx] would agree. It would show that this generation is capable of reaching the same heights as the legends of the past.”
For Pogačar, the pursuit of the Triple Crown is likely not a question of ability but timing. The Slovenian has already shown that he can win the biggest races in the sport, and his team at UAE Team Emirates has demonstrated its willingness to support him fully. However, with the demands of modern cycling and the increased specialization of riders, achieving the Triple Crown remains a monumental challenge.
Yet, if there is one rider in the peloton today who could do it, many believe it is Pogačar. His combination of talent, tactical acumen, and mental toughness has already made him one of the greatest riders of his generation. Whether or not he chooses to pursue the Triple Crown remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: if he does, the eyes of the cycling world, including those of Stephen Roche, will be watching closely.
As the Slovenian continues to carve out his legacy, the possibility of him joining the most exclusive club in cycling looms large. Should he succeed, Pogačar will not only cement his place among the greats but will also create a moment that unites the legends of cycling’s past with the stars of its future.
