“He’d give me a beating, he’s the best ever” - Lance Armstrong praises Tadej Pogacar after another Tour de France 2026 win
CyclingMonday, 27 July 2026 at 23:57
Tadej Pogacar’s fifth victory at the Tour de France 2026 continues to spark reactions across the cycling world. One of the most striking came from Lance Armstrong, who did not hesitate to place the Slovenian above every other legend of the sport, himself included.
Lance Armstrong praises Tadej Pogacar
In the latest episode of his podcast THE MOVE, the American said that, for him, there is no longer any debate about who is the greatest cyclist of all time.
Pogacar has matched this year’s five Tour de France wins of Eddy Merckx, Jacques Anquetil, Bernard Hinault, and Miguel Indurain, but Armstrong believes his dominance goes far beyond the tally of titles.
“This guy is the best of all time. I don’t even have to go that far back. He can simply do everything.”
The American highlighted the extraordinary versatility of the UAE Team Emirates - XRG leader, capable of winning on virtually any terrain.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s a flat stage, if there are cobbles, if we’re racing in the high mountains or on the white roads of Strade Bianche. He doesn’t care about the time of year either. He just wants to race.”
Armstrong added that this ability to perform throughout the calendar is what, in his view, makes Pogacar a unique rider.
“He is, quite simply, the best of all time. It’s not always entertaining to watch, especially in a three-week race, but that’s a fact.”
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The former American pro also responded to the usual comparisons between the two, acknowledging that the Slovenian would be above the best level he reached during his career.
“Sometimes people compare my career to his and ask where I’d stack up against him. It doesn’t matter. This guy would beat the crap out of Lance Armstrong. I’m serious.”
For Armstrong, Pogacar not only rules cycling, but he also considers him the most dominant athlete in the world right now.
“For me, he is the most dominant athlete in the world.”
The American was also convinced that Pogacar will not ease off after conquering his fifth Tour de France and believes he will keep expanding his palmarès.
However the American continues to argue he holds the record - the seven victories have been stripped away from him - and that this will influence the Slovenian's mindset.
“He knows what the real record is. He’ll keep going. And I hope he gets it. I don’t mind either way. I’m an athlete. You play, and records get broken from time to time. They’re there to be broken.”
At just 27, Pogacar has already matched the five-Tour mark achieved by the sport’s greatest legends. If he maintains this level over the next seasons, the Slovenian will have the chance to become the rider with the most victories in the Grande Boucle, a target that, according to Lance Armstrong, looks increasingly within reach.
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
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Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
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- It is hard to call, point taken. Pipefitters? This term is used to show that Merckx raced against people with full time jobs instead of being bike racers 100% of the time, at least for most of the field.awp28-07-2026
- With the level of talent during his generation, he could probably have taken one Tour if everything lined up for him. He could have certainly taken a Vuelta. Based on the talent in the top five of this years Tour, he would have lost an hour.awp28-07-2026
- Can't figure it out? Let me help.... "I'm an idiot' is Mouse's mantra when he looks in the mirror!frieders328-07-2026
- Never made a serious bid to win! Second is first loser !frieders328-07-2026
- Remco rode a boring, conservative, wheel sucking Tour! Tell me when he ever attacked .... never! Oh if you count that stage 20 attack when Tadeg was hand holding del Toro...that wasn't a GC attack. He never once put Tadeg under pressure and only counted on Tadeg to ride the other GC guys off his wheel so he could benefit.frieders328-07-2026
- Armstrong won ZERO tours ! He was only the best DOPER of his generation. Could never have won any three week tour while clean!frieders328-07-2026
- Armstrong is by no means a champion - only in doping does he rise to the top!frieders328-07-2026
- I find your silence infinitely more articulate, Mou. Stick to X, those views, amongst your many others, are not welcome here.anonymouscyclist27-07-2026
- but yeah, who knowsOCexile27-07-2026
- i mean, if jasper was hell bent on NOT overtaking mathieu then he was digging AWFULLY HARD up to what, a fraction of a second behind? that’s cutting it AWFULLY CLOSE if your mission is to make sure you’re not the one who beats van der poel. nobody I’VE ever seen gives a “gift” by going absolutely balls-out to within a couple feet of the line.OCexile27-07-2026
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