LANCE ARMSTRONG FIRES BACK AT TADEJ POGAČAR HATERS: “THEY SCREAM THE SAME BULLSH*T EVERY YEAR!” — CYCLING WORLD ERUPTS AS ARMSTRONG DEFENDS THE SLOVENIAN SUPERSTAR
In a fiery and unapologetic tirade that’s sent shockwaves through the global cycling community, former Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong has come out swinging in defense of Tadej Pogačar, blasting critics who continue to question the Slovenian superstar’s dominance. Speaking on a recent episode of his podcast The Move, Armstrong — a figure who remains one of the most polarizing names in the sport — didn’t mince words as he took aim at what he called the “same tired crowd” who, year after year, try to tear down excellence instead of celebrating it.
“They scream the same bullsh*t every year!” Armstrong declared. “Every time a rider starts dominating, people lose their minds. It’s like they can’t stand greatness unless it fits their narrative. Tadej is special — he’s redefining what it means to be a champion, and people should be in awe, not suspicious.”
The comment has ignited a global debate — not just about Pogačar’s brilliance, but also about Armstrong’s role as a voice in modern cycling. For many, it’s a fascinating paradox: a man stripped of seven Tour titles for doping violations now defending one of the sport’s cleanest and most talented riders. But for Armstrong, it’s not about hypocrisy — it’s about perspective.
A DEFENSE OF DOMINANCE
Tadej Pogačar’s rise to cycling immortality has been nothing short of phenomenal. At just 27, he has already cemented his place among the all-time greats, with multiple Tour de France victories, Monument classics, and an Olympic gold medal under his belt. His relentless style, fearless attacks, and ability to dominate in every terrain — mountains, time trials, and one-day races — have made him the face of modern cycling.
But with greatness comes scrutiny. Each time Pogačar delivers a jaw-dropping performance, online forums and social media ignite with speculation. “Too good to be true,” some say. “Reminds me of the old days,” others hint darkly, referencing cycling’s troubled past.
Armstrong, who knows that scrutiny better than anyone, decided he’d had enough.
“People can’t separate the present from the past,” Armstrong continued. “They see someone like Pogačar winning by minutes and think, ‘Here we go again.’ But this is a different era. Different testing. Different culture. The sport’s evolved. These guys are training smarter, recovering better, and racing differently. Tadej’s success isn’t suspicious — it’s spectacular.”
ARMSTRONG’S REDEMPTION TOUR?
The irony of Armstrong defending anyone against criticism wasn’t lost on listeners. After all, his fall from grace remains one of the biggest scandals in sports history. Once hailed as an icon of resilience and human willpower, Armstrong’s confession to years of performance-enhancing drug use erased his seven Tour de France titles and left a permanent scar on cycling’s reputation.
Yet in recent years, Armstrong has slowly clawed his way back into the public conversation through media, business, and advocacy. His podcast The Move has become a must-listen for fans seeking insider commentary on the world’s biggest cycling races.
Now, his defense of Pogačar seems to mark a new chapter — one where Armstrong positions himself as both elder statesman and provocateur.
“Look, I’ve lived through the worst of it,” Armstrong said during the episode. “I know what real cheating looks like. I know what that era was. This — what we’re seeing with Tadej — this isn’t that. He’s not hiding anything. He’s not part of some shadowy system. He’s just that damn good.”
For Armstrong’s critics, however, the comments came off as self-serving — an attempt to rewrite his own narrative by aligning himself with one of cycling’s cleanest heroes.
Cycling journalist Nicolas Berthoud summarized the tension succinctly:
“Lance is trying to say, ‘Don’t project my sins onto this generation.’ And he’s right — to a point. But when he’s the one saying it, it complicates things. People still see him as the embodiment of deception in cycling, so his praise can feel like a curse.”
POGAČAR’S SILENCE SPEAKS VOLUMES
Interestingly, Tadej Pogačar himself has remained quiet on the issue. The Slovenian champion, known for his humility and laser focus, has never directly responded to doping speculation or Armstrong’s defense. His philosophy has always been simple — let the legs do the talking.
Close sources from Team UAE Emirates have hinted that Pogačar appreciates Armstrong’s support but prefers to stay clear of controversy.
“Tadej respects what Lance achieved on the bike, even if history complicated that,” said one insider. “But he doesn’t want to be drawn into any war of words. His focus is on racing — and winning clean.”
Still, Armstrong’s comments have sparked a wave of online support for Pogačar, especially among fans tired of cynicism. “Why can’t we just enjoy a generational talent without tearing him down?” one fan tweeted. “Pogačar is what we all wished cycling could be after the dark years — pure brilliance.”
A HISTORY OF DOUBT AND GREATNESS
Armstrong’s fiery defense also rekindles a deeper question that has haunted cycling for decades: can the world truly believe in dominance again?
The sport’s golden eras — from Hinault to Induráin, Pantani to Froome — have always carried whispers of doubt. For every victory, there’s been an undercurrent of suspicion, often justified by later revelations. Armstrong’s era, in particular, shattered trust to the core.
Now, as a new generation of riders like Pogačar, Remco Evenepoel, and Jonas Vingegaard redefine performance standards through cutting-edge sports science, nutrition, and analytics, many fans struggle to embrace greatness without skepticism.
Armstrong argues that this skepticism has become toxic.
“We’ve reached a point where people would rather doubt than believe,” he said. “It’s sad because this generation has earned our trust. They’re doing it right. But the internet loves conspiracies more than truth.”
A DIVIDED REACTION
Predictably, Armstrong’s remarks split the cycling world down the middle.
Some hailed him for defending the sport’s new face with conviction. Former pro George Hincapie, Armstrong’s longtime teammate, praised his stance:
“Lance knows what it’s like to be hunted by critics. I think he’s just saying — let’s not ruin another era by doubting every rider who performs well. Pogačar’s a once-in-a-century athlete.”
Others, however, were less forgiving.
Cycling historian Pierre Marchand noted,
“Armstrong’s attempt to be cycling’s moral compass is ironic. His words carry weight, but they also reopen wounds. Some fans will never be able to separate the messenger from the message.”
Online debates exploded across forums and social media, with thousands weighing in. Some accused Armstrong of using Pogačar’s name for relevance. Others applauded his bravery for speaking an uncomfortable truth.
THE BIGGER PICTURE: A CHANGING SPORT
Regardless of how one views Armstrong’s comments, there’s no denying that the sport has changed dramatically since his time. Today’s top riders operate under the most rigorous testing and biological monitoring in sporting history. Data transparency, team nutritionists, and independent anti-doping programs have raised the bar for accountability.
Pogačar himself has been an advocate for openness in cycling. His performance data, recovery metrics, and nutrition regimes are frequently shared with the public — a sharp contrast to the secrecy that defined the early 2000s.
Armstrong pointed to this evolution as evidence that fans should trust more and doubt less:
“These guys are basically living in glass houses. Every watt, every recovery meal, every altitude camp — it’s all out there. If people still think this is the same as twenty years ago, they’re not paying attention.”
LEGACY AND LESSONS
In the end, Armstrong’s defense of Tadej Pogačar might be less about the Slovenian himself and more about the larger conversation — about how we view greatness in a sport that’s been burned before.
His words challenge cycling to move forward — to appreciate excellence without immediately assuming deceit. Whether or not Armstrong is the right person to deliver that message is up for debate, but his passion is undeniable.
“I screwed up, no doubt,” Armstrong admitted toward the end of his rant. “But I also love this sport. I want people to love it again. And if you can’t look at Tadej Pogačar and feel inspired — you’re missing the point of why we fell in love with cycling in the first place.”
CONCLUSION: A FIRESTORM WITH PURPOSE
Love him or hate him, Lance Armstrong still knows how to spark a global conversation. His fiery defense of Tadej Pogačar may not erase his own controversial past, but it reignites an important dialogue about belief, redemption, and the future of cycling.
As the Slovenian champion continues to dominate races and rewrite record books, Armstrong’s words serve as both a warning and a plea: don’t let history’s mistakes poison the joy of witnessing greatness.
Because whether you cheer for or against him, Tadej Pogačar is proving — on the road, under the sun, and against every doubt — that cycling’s next great chapter is already being written.
And for once, maybe Lance Armstrong is right:
“It’s time we stop screaming the same bullsh*t every year — and start celebrating the magic again.”
