In the aftermath of Tadej Pogačar’s fifth Tour de France victory, which tied him with cycling legends like Eddy Merckx and Jacques Anquetil, Lance Armstrong, the disgraced seven-time winner, questioned Pogačar’s record. Armstrong suggested that Pogačar was aware of the true record, implying that his achievements were not entirely legitimate. (cyclingnews.com)
Greg LeMond, the only American to have won the Tour de France, strongly disagreed with Armstrong’s assertions. LeMond emphasized that Pogačar’s success was due to innate talent, contrasting it with Armstrong’s late-blooming career, which was marred by doping controversies. He stated, “Lance didn’t have his talent; he ‘found’ it at 28. Pogačar won his first Tour at 21.” (cyclingnews.com)
LeMond further highlighted Pogačar’s exceptional physiological attributes, noting that some individuals are born with a higher VO2 max, giving them a natural advantage in endurance sports. He added, “Pogačar has exceptional talent. Every now and then, out of millions of people, you have one who has 3 or 4 … .” (cyclingnews.com)
This exchange underscores the ongoing tension between LeMond and Armstrong, rooted in past doping allegations and differing perspectives on cycling’s integrity. LeMond’s unwavering stance against doping continues to influence discussions about the sport’s legacy and the authenticity of its records.
Highlights:
- ‘He’s going to win at least seven Tours’ – Greg LeMond refutes any comparison between Tadej Pogačar and Lance Armstrong, Published on Monday, July 27