In a jaw-dropping interview that has reignited controversy across the cycling world, disgraced former Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong has made an explosive statement regarding doping in the sport. Speaking candidly for the first time in years, Armstrong claimed that performance-enhancing drug use is still prevalent in professional cycling, and went so far as to say:
“It never left. I promise you that.”
The interview, which aired as part of an exclusive ESPN deep-dive into cycling’s ongoing struggle with credibility, shows a visibly defiant Armstrong addressing what he believes is a continued culture of denial within the sport.
💣 Armstrong’s Shocking Statement
Armstrong, stripped of his seven Tour de France titles in 2012 after a career-defining doping scandal, didn’t hold back. While he acknowledged and took “full responsibility” for his past actions, he insisted that modern cycling is still far from clean.
“People can keep pretending, but the same systems — just more sophisticated — are in place today. The only difference is the testing got smarter, and so did the people trying to beat it.”
When asked directly if he believed Tour de France winners today are riding clean, Armstrong answered with unsettling certainty:
“Some, maybe. But not all. And that’s a fact. I promise you that.”
🚴♂️ Cycling World Reacts
The reaction to Armstrong’s comments has been swift and divided:
- Current pros and team officials have largely dismissed the comments as “deflective” and “unhelpful.”
- Anti-doping advocates, however, say Armstrong’s insider knowledge can’t be ignored.
- Fans on social media are split — with some accusing Armstrong of attempting to stay relevant, and others calling his remarks a “necessary wake-up call.”
“Armstrong might be the wrong messenger, but that doesn’t mean the message is wrong,” said Travis Tygart, CEO of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), the organization that led the case against Armstrong in 2012.
🧬 A Closer Look at His Claim
Armstrong alleges that:
- Micro-dosing of EPO and other substances still happens, carefully timed to avoid detection
- Technological doping — including hidden motors and advanced recovery methods — is “the next frontier”
- Riders are “taught how to beat the tests” as early as the junior ranks
- There is a “code of silence” still present in team cultures today
These claims, while unproven, cast a long shadow over a sport trying desperately to reclaim its integrity in the post-Armstrong era.
🎙️ Why Speak Now?
Armstrong explained that his decision to speak out was not about redemption, but about “truth and reform.”
“People still don’t want to talk about the real problems. Until they do, cycling will always have that dark cloud.”
He also hinted that a new podcast series and possible book could expand further on his views, possibly including specific names and stories from the modern peloton.
🏁 Final Word
Lance Armstrong may never be able to fully repair his legacy, but his bold claim — “I promise you that” — has once again forced the cycling world to look in the mirror.
Whether you see him as a whistleblower, a fallen icon, or a man clinging to relevance, one thing is clear: when Armstrong speaks, the world listens. And if even part of what he says is true, cycling’s reckoning may not be over yet.