Although Tadej Pogacar appears on the verge of emulating cycling great Eddy Merckx, the Slovenian says he is in no rush to chase history, warning that the risk of burnout looms large in one of the most mentally and physically demanding sports.

When your eyelids start getting attention, you've made it. You've entered the empyrean of the untouchables, the ones best left alone in the elevator. With Tadej Pogacar, they've exhausted