Phil Liggett: I Was So Right About Cadel Evans, So Wrong About Lance Armstrong

Phil Liggett: I Was So Right About Cadel Evans, So Wrong About Lance Armstrong

Phil Liggett, often called the “Voice of Cycling,” has been the narrator of many of the sport’s greatest moments for more than four decades. His commentary, laced with passion and deep knowledge, has accompanied countless cyclists’ triumphs and trials. But like anyone who has spent so long at the forefront of a fast-evolving sport, Liggett has witnessed many moments that surprised even him—none more so than the rise of Cadel Evans and the fall of Lance Armstrong.

In his long career, Liggett has been both right and wrong about riders. Two of the most notable examples are Cadel Evans, Australia’s first Tour de France champion, and Lance Armstrong, the American cyclist who once held seven consecutive Tour titles before being stripped of them following a doping scandal. Liggett’s contrasting experiences with these two riders provide a glimpse into the complex world of professional cycling, where talent, determination, and controversy often mix.

Phil Liggett always had an eye for talent, and from early on, he saw something special in Cadel Evans. The Australian rider, known for his determination and grit, was a late bloomer in cycling terms. Before his days in road cycling, Evans was a mountain biker, winning World Cup events and competing at the highest level in that discipline. But it wasn’t until he switched to road racing that Liggett and the rest of the cycling world began to take notice of his grand tour potential.

From 2002, when Evans first switched to road racing full-time, Liggett believed that the Australian had what it took to win the Tour de France. However, for years, Evans was close but not close enough. He was known as a strong contender but often fell short, finishing second in 2007 and 2008. Many commentators doubted whether Evans had the mental fortitude to overcome the pressure and claim the yellow jersey.

But Liggett never wavered. “I always believed that Cadel could win the Tour,” he said in a later interview. “He had the heart of a champion, and his dedication was unquestionable. It was just a matter of everything coming together at the right time.”

That time finally came in 2011. Evans, riding for BMC Racing Team, won the Tour de France in a dramatic fashion. It was one of the most emotional victories in the event’s history. Evans overcame a strong challenge from Andy Schleck, catching up during the individual time trial on Stage 20, and securing his place as the first Australian to win the prestigious race.

Phil Liggett’s call during that moment—”Cadel Evans has done it!”—was filled with the kind of joy and relief that only comes when a long-held belief is finally realized. Liggett had been right about Evans from the start, and seeing his prophecy come true was one of the highlights of his career.

If Liggett was so right about Cadel Evans, he was equally wrong about Lance Armstrong. Armstrong, once hailed as one of the greatest athletes in the world, was an enigma to Liggett and many others in the cycling community. After battling and overcoming testicular cancer, Armstrong returned to cycling and won seven consecutive Tour de France titles from 1999 to 2005. His comeback story captivated millions, and Liggett, like so many others, was swept up in the narrative of a man who had seemingly defied the odds to achieve sporting greatness.

Throughout Armstrong’s dominance, Liggett praised the American’s resilience and exceptional talent. His commentary during those seven Tour victories was often filled with admiration. Armstrong’s aggressive style, his ability to destroy rivals in the mountains, and his mental toughness made him seem invincible.

However, rumors of doping had always surrounded Armstrong, and over time, those whispers grew louder. For years, Liggett defended the cyclist, believing in the story of clean competition. Armstrong had repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, and like many in the cycling community, Liggett took him at his word.

“I was fooled, like so many others,” Liggett later admitted. “I wanted to believe that what Lance Armstrong had achieved was real, that he was clean. I defended him for years because I thought I knew the sport well enough to recognize a cheat. I was wrong.”

In 2012, Armstrong was officially stripped of his seven Tour de France titles after a United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) investigation revealed that he had been at the center of one of the most sophisticated doping programs in the history of sports. Armstrong’s confession in 2013, during an interview with Oprah Winfrey, shocked the world and left Liggett and many others feeling betrayed.

Liggett’s experiences with Cadel Evans and Lance Armstrong highlight the complex nature of professional cycling. On one hand, Evans represented the perseverance, determination, and clean racing that make the sport so captivating. On the other hand, Armstrong’s story was a reminder of the darker side of competitive sport, where the pressure to win at all costs can lead athletes down a destructive path.

For Liggett, these experiences were deeply personal. As a commentator, he had spent years supporting and advocating for both riders. His belief in Evans was vindicated, while his trust in Armstrong was shattered. But through it all, Liggett has remained a steady voice in the cycling community, offering insights into the sport he loves.

“I’ve seen the best and worst of cycling,” Liggett once reflected. “Cadel Evans showed me that dreams can come true with hard work and integrity, while Lance Armstrong taught me that even the greatest stories can have dark sides.”

Despite the disappointment of the Armstrong scandal, Liggett continues to be an optimist about cycling’s future. He believes the sport has made significant strides in cleaning up its act, and that new generations of riders, like Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard, represent a promising future.

Liggett’s career has been marked by both triumph and regret, but he remains steadfast in his love for cycling. The sport, with all its complexities, continues to evolve, and Liggett’s voice will surely be there to call the next great moments. His journey with Cadel Evans and Lance Armstrong serves as a reminder that while commentators may not always get it right, their passion for the sport never wavers.

As Liggett himself put it, “Cycling is a beautiful sport, full of highs and lows. I’ve been right about some things, and I’ve been wrong about others, but through it all, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”