Lance Armstrong on the argument that the 2025 Tour de France route doesn’t favor Tadej Pogacar: “It’s the Tour and 99 times out of 100 the best one wins”
The recently unveiled route for the 2025 Tour de France has triggered widespread analysis, especially concerning its possible effects on Tadej Pogacar, a two-time champion of the Tour. With numerous grueling mountain stages and a limited number of time trials, the route might seem disadvantageous for riders who typically excel against the clock. Lance Armstrong, who knows the Tour de France intimately, recently shared his thoughts on what this might mean for Pogacar.
Speaking on a recent podcast, Armstrong acknowledged the route could indeed pose some additional challenges for Pogacar, who is known for his strength in time trials. Nevertheless, he pointed to the defining nature of the Tour itself. “It’s the Tour,” he remarked, “and 99 times out of 100, the best one wins.” Armstrong’s view is that, despite the 2025 route favoring certain rider types over others, the Tour de France is a race that inherently tests every competitor’s resilience, skill, and adaptability. To him, the course setup will ultimately reveal the strongest rider, regardless of any particular athlete’s strengths.
Reflecting on his own experiences, Armstrong stressed that the best rider will emerge victorious through their ability to handle the race’s relentless challenges, both mentally and physically. For Armstrong, the layout of the Tour stages—whether advantageous to a climber or time-trial specialist—underscores the importance of versatility and resilience.
The 2025 route’s mountain-heavy profile has led some to speculate it might give climbers an edge. However, Pogacar has previously demonstrated his climbing prowess and might be able to rise to the occasion despite the limited time-trial opportunities. Armstrong’s perspective underscores the Tour’s unpredictable nature, where individual adaptability can often triumph over supposed advantages.
As Pogacar eyes a third title, he will face the test of a course tailored to climbers, which could challenge his usual strategy. But as Armstrong suggests, the Tour de France is a battleground where only the very best can claim victory. For Pogacar, that means proving his mettle in a race designed to push every rider to their limits.
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