Lance Armstrong Praises Demi Vollering’s Stunning Time Trial Performance: “A Real Barbarity”

Lance Armstrong, a name synonymous with time trial dominance in the Tour de France, may have had his victories stripped due to doping, but his expertise in the discipline remains unquestionable. With years of experience in mastering the art of the time trial, Armstrong recently turned his attention to the Women’s Tour de France, where he couldn’t help but marvel at Demi Vollering’s exceptional performance during the third stage.

On his podcast The Move, Armstrong dissected the technical time trial in Rotterdam, where Vollering delivered a performance that left even the seasoned Texan in awe. The Dutch cyclist completed the 6.3-kilometer course in a blistering 7 minutes and 25 seconds, outpacing her nearest competitor, Chloé Dygert, by 5 seconds. Vollering’s average speed? A jaw-dropping 51 kilometers per hour.

Armstrong’s Admiration

Armstrong, who knows firsthand the physical and mental demands of time trialing at such speeds, did not mince words in expressing his admiration for Vollering’s ride. “Demi Vollering’s average speed—it was a short time trial, but that doesn’t diminish how amazing it was; her average speed in this time trial was 51 kilometers an hour,” Armstrong said on his podcast. “I remember doing time trials at 51 km/h—that’s really fast!”

Armstrong emphasized the difficulty of maintaining such a high speed, especially on a course that was far from straightforward. “All this with curves, with a traffic circle, a twist… I’d be riding down the road probably at an average of 55 km/h,” he noted, highlighting the additional challenges Vollering faced, such as navigating tight turns and technical sections.

A Performance for the Ages

Vollering’s performance in Rotterdam wasn’t just fast—it was a display of technical mastery and pure power. Time trials are often referred to as the “race of truth,” where there is no room for error, and Vollering’s execution was near-flawless. Her ability to maintain such a high speed on a course with multiple technical elements speaks to her skill, preparation, and athleticism.

For Armstrong, who has seen and experienced it all in the world of professional cycling, Vollering’s ride was nothing short of extraordinary. His comments serve as high praise from a rider who once ruled the time trial discipline and understands better than most the complexities of achieving such speeds.

The Future of Women’s Cycling

Demi Vollering’s performance is not only a testament to her abilities but also a sign of the growing competitiveness and excitement in women’s cycling. As the sport continues to evolve, performances like Vollering’s set new benchmarks and inspire future generations of riders to push the limits of what is possible.

Armstrong’s recognition of Vollering’s achievement underscores the significance of her time trial victory. It’s a reminder that in the world of cycling, speed is not just about raw power—it’s about precision, strategy, and the ability to navigate the complexities of the course with confidence.

As the Women’s Tour de France progresses, all eyes will undoubtedly be on Vollering to see how she continues to perform. With her Rotterdam time trial already making waves, she’s proven that she’s not just a competitor—she’s a force to be reckoned with.

In Armstrong’s words, what Demi Vollering did in Rotterdam was “a real barbarity,” and it’s clear that her performance has left a lasting impression on one of the sport’s most knowledgeable voices.