In the world of professional cycling, the unveiling of the Tour de France route each year is an event in itself, often met with widespread scrutiny, speculation, and debate. For the 2025 Tour, this scrutiny has once again reached a fever pitch as some fans and analysts argue that the route is not favourable to the Slovenian superstar Tadej Pogačar, one of the most dominant riders of his generation. Former cycling champion Lance Armstrong, whose name remains synonymous with the highs and lows of professional cycling, recently weighed in on this debate, dismissing the idea that the 2025 route was intentionally designed to disadvantage Pogačar or any other favourite. Armstrong argues that cycling routes are simply a framework for the race and that true champions adapt and overcome, proving their mettle regardless of the terrain.
As the cycling world prepares for what promises to be another historic Tour de France, Armstrong’s remarks shed light on the resilience, adaptability, and grit that characterise the sport’s most successful riders. His perspective, though controversial given his turbulent history in cycling, resonates with a timeless truth in sports: that greatness transcends adversity, and the strongest competitors find a way to win, no matter the challenges.
The 2025 Tour de France Route: A Challenge for Pogačar?
The newly announced route for the 2025 Tour de France has sparked a range of opinions, with some experts contending that it does not play to Pogačar’s strengths. Known for his versatility, Pogačar has shown extraordinary prowess on both mountainous climbs and time trials, making him a fierce competitor across diverse terrains. However, the 2025 Tour’s route is expected to include fewer mountain stages and a slightly greater emphasis on flatter stages, which could favour powerful sprinters and all-rounders who excel in high-speed finishes rather than pure climbers.
Additionally, the time trial stages—typically one of Pogačar’s strong suits—are limited, reducing the number of opportunities he might have had to gain time on rivals. For Pogačar, who relies on both mountain climbing and time-trialling to outpace his competitors, this route presents an undeniable challenge. Fans and analysts alike have expressed concern that these elements may stack the odds against him, questioning whether the route was intentionally designed to keep him from dominating.
Yet for Armstrong, such concerns are misplaced. The former champion, who himself dominated the Tour de France for nearly a decade, argues that the notion of route “bias” is largely exaggerated and overlooks the resilience of true champions.
Armstrong’s Perspective: Champions Don’t Blame the Route
Lance Armstrong has dismissed the idea that the 2025 Tour route was deliberately designed to thwart Pogačar or any other favourite rider. Reflecting on his own experience, Armstrong asserts that a great cyclist doesn’t rely on the route being “favourable” but instead adapts to whatever challenges are presented.
“When the Tour de France route is announced,” Armstrong said in a recent interview, “there are always comments that it’s been designed so the big favourite doesn’t win. And that’s what has happened again with the 2025 Tour. But this narrative just doesn’t hold up. The strongest rider, the one who has prepared the most and has the mental toughness, almost always prevails. Great cyclists adapt.”
Armstrong’s viewpoint draws from his years of experience as a former Tour champion, and it underscores a fundamental aspect of the sport: that physical and mental resilience ultimately determine victory. In his view, a true champion does not dwell on whether the route favours them but instead trains to handle any course thrown their way. This approach emphasises adaptability, suggesting that the Tour de France is less about finding an “ideal” route and more about conquering the unpredictable and gruelling nature of the race itself.
The Adaptability of Great Cyclists: Learning from Past Champions
Armstrong’s stance is not without precedent. Throughout the history of the Tour de France, many champions have overcome courses that seemingly played against their strengths. Legendary riders like Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, and Miguel Induráin faced routes that at times did not suit their skill sets, yet they persevered and found ways to dominate. For Armstrong, these riders exemplify the spirit of adaptability that defines a Tour champion, as they displayed the grit and determination to overcome any disadvantage.
Alberto Contador, a celebrated climber, managed to win the Tour despite routes that included long, flat stages and time trials where he was considered weaker. Similarly, Chris Froome, another climber and time-trial specialist, adapted to routes that incorporated challenging sprint stages, showcasing his resilience and versatility. Armstrong sees these riders as proof that greatness is not dependent on the route and that champions are made through their ability to adjust and outthink their competition.
Alonso believes Pogačar is no exception and that the Slovenian will find a way to compete effectively on the 2025 route. “A rider of Pogačar’s calibre doesn’t need a course designed in his favour,” Armstrong remarked. “If he’s truly the strongest, he’ll prove it by adapting and excelling no matter what the terrain demands.”
Pogačar’s Journey: A Test of Character and Adaptability
For Tadej Pogačar, the 2025 Tour de France represents both a challenge and an opportunity to showcase his adaptability. As a rider who has quickly risen to fame and has been hailed as a potential future legend, Pogačar faces the pressures of meeting lofty expectations. The 2025 route might not offer the abundance of mountain stages or time trials that he thrives on, but it will test his ability to strategize, adapt, and push his limits beyond the comfort of familiar strengths.
Pogačar’s training regimen and race strategy will likely need to adjust to meet the demands of the 2025 Tour route. He may prioritise building endurance for long, flat stages or invest more time in tactics that favour draughting and conserving energy for crucial climbs. Armstrong believes that these adjustments, far from being a burden, can fortify a champion’s resolve, helping them evolve as a more complete and resilient athlete.
“Winning the Tour is never easy, regardless of the route,” Armstrong said. “It’s one of the most gruelling tests in all of the sports, and only those who can adapt will survive. Pogačar has already proven himself as a versatile and resilient rider, and I believe he has what it takes to compete regardless of the route.”
Critics of Armstrong’s Viewpoint: The Role of Fairness and Strategy
Despite Armstrong’s assurances, some critics argue that route design does matter and that organising a Tour course should consider fairness in competition. They contend that certain route designs inevitably favour certain riding styles, creating an uneven playing field. Critics also point out that cycling is not merely about physical resilience but also about playing to a rider’s strengths, and they argue that limiting key elements, such as mountain stages for climbers like Pogačar, could detract from the competitive spirit of the race.
Others note that Armstrong’s career was often associated with controversies regarding route manipulation and that his dominance was achieved under circumstances that included support from team strategies and physical conditioning programmes that remain contentious. For some, his emphasis on adaptability as the only factor in winning overlooks the influence of team dynamics, route design, and technological advancements that can tilt races in favour of certain athletes.
A Broader View: The Evolution of the Tour and the Challenge of Modern Cycling
The controversy surrounding the 2025 Tour route speaks to a larger conversation in cycling about the evolution of the race and the increasing demands placed on riders. Today’s Tour de France features routes designed to challenge various skills, from sprinting and climbing to endurance and tactical acumen. Organisers strive to keep the Tour fresh and unpredictable, ensuring that no single rider style dominates consistently and that every stage brings its own unique challenge.
In this context, Armstrong’s emphasis on adaptability and resilience captures a core aspect of the Tour’s legacy. However, the discussion surrounding route fairness and its impact on riders like Pogačar raises valid questions about the balance between tradition and innovation in route planning. Whether or not the 2025 route is “fair” to Pogačar may ultimately depend on perspective, as some see route variation as a fair test of all-around cycling ability, while others argue it risks undermining certain riders’ competitive edge.
The Route as a Test of Greatness
In the end, Lance Armstrong’s perspective on the 2025 Tour de France route offers a reminder that greatness in cycling transcends the specificities of any given course. His assertion that “the strongest always wins” echoes the belief that true champions emerge through their ability to tackle whatever challenges come their way. For Tadej Pogačar, the 2025 Tour presents an opportunity to prove himself as a rider who can adapt and conquer, even when the odds seem stacked against him.
The 2025 Tour will undoubtedly serve as a test of Pogačar’s adaptability, resilience, and resolve—qualities that define not only a champion but also a legend. Whether he emerges victorious will depend on his ability to embody Armstrong’s vision of a true Tour champion: one who adapts, evolves, and ultimately rises above any course the race organisers lay in his path.