In a jaw-dropping statement that sent shockwaves through the cycling community, Lance Armstrong has weighed in on Mathieu van der Poel’s commanding win at the 2025 Paris-Roubaix, calling the performance “almost too perfect to be true.” The seven-time Tour de France winner—later stripped of his titles for doping—praised van der Poel’s athletic brilliance but issued a cryptic warning that has ignited a firestorm of speculation.
“He was just that good,” Armstrong said on a recent podcast episode. “But sometimes, being that good gets people looking at you sideways. Trust me—I’ve been there.” Armstrong’s remarks, while cloaked in admiration, also hinted at the darker side of elite-level cycling, raising eyebrows among fans and pundits alike.
The Dutch superstar dominated the 2025 edition of the grueling one-day classic, breaking away with over 50 kilometers to go and never looking back. His solo finish, executed with machine-like precision, drew comparisons to the sport’s greatest ever rides. But Armstrong’s tone dampened the celebration, pointing to the recent doping case of Colombian rider Miguel Ángel López as a cautionary tale.
López, who finished third in both the Giro d’Italia and the Vuelta a España in 2018, was recently handed a four-year ban after being linked to a doping ring. Armstrong referred to López’s downfall as a “reminder of how fast things can unravel,” advising van der Poel to “keep his camp clean, transparent, and paranoid.”
“Mathieu’s got the legs and the lungs, no question,” Armstrong added. “But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that people don’t just want to watch greatness—they want to doubt it, too.”
Van der Poel has not responded publicly to Armstrong’s comments, but sources close to the Alpecin-Deceuninck team have dismissed any notion of wrongdoing. One team official, speaking on condition of anonymity, labeled Armstrong’s comments as “unnecessary and unhelpful,” adding, “There’s a difference between dominance and deception.”
Fans on social media were quick to react. Some praised Armstrong’s candor, saying his insight as a former top-level pro is invaluable. Others accused him of projecting his own guilt onto a rider who has, thus far, never tested positive or been linked to any doping scandal.
Cycling journalists are split on the issue. While most agree that van der Poel’s ride was extraordinary, some suggest Armstrong’s comments might reflect a deeper skepticism lingering in the sport since his own high-profile scandal.
As van der Poel basks in the glory of one of cycling’s most iconic races, the shadow of Armstrong’s remarks continues to trail him. Whether seen as a warning from a battle-hardened veteran or the bitterness of a disgraced champion, the message is clear: in the world of pro cycling, no triumph is above suspicion.