But racing was very different during the Merckx era. Racers were expected to compete for a full season — racers might peak for the Tour or other special events, but they couldn’t do so with Lance’s single-minded focus and make that one race their entire season — so Merckx competed on a more level playing field, with few racers able to save their strength for one extra-special race. It’s not like today, where a number of racers structure their programs to physically peak for the Tour.

Another big difference in today’s racing has come from television. Modern race speeds are much faster, which is part of the natural progression as equipment and training methodology become more refined. But during the Merckx years it was common for many stages — especially the long ones — to be ridden at a comfortable pace, en masse, with the real racing taking place over the last 30 miles or so.

Live television coverage changed all that. Before, most people would only see stage results in the next day’s paper, or highlights on television, so the win was everything. With live TV, a rider could take a flyer early in a stage and collect hours of valuable publicity for his sponsor. Suddenly, teams who weren’t in contention for the overall, or even stage victory, could get something for their efforts. Today’s elevated average speeds are due more to the fact that on every stage, racing begins from the gun. That puts a lot more pressure on the team that’s holding the maillot jaune, which must cover any threatening move.

There are a lot of might-have-beens in Tour history. If not for the suspension of racing during World War II, Fausto Coppi might have notched six or more wins, rather than spending his prime years languishing in a POW camp.

Bernard Hinault lost two of his peak years to injury, or he might have collected six or seven Tour victories. If Merckx or Hinault had focused entire seasons on le Tour, there’s no telling how many overall victories each of them might have earned. But history consists of cold, hard facts, and the fact remains that Lance is the only one to do the deed and win six Tours.

Interactive Six-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong is no mere mortal

To me, what’s more significant than Lance’s sixth win is the way in which he earned it. This was the Texan’s most dominating performance ever. He humiliated his rivals in the two individual time trials, with 61-second margins. His squad put in a flawless team time trial and executed a perfect strategy to protect the maillot jaune. His team hacked the field down to just a few riders in the mountains with beautifully orchestrated tactics, leaving Lance to finish off his challengers in single combat. Together, Lance and the Postal Service delivered an indomitable one-two punch.

NBC SPORTS From Thys to Merckx to Armstrong, the Tour's greatest riders.

Lance will be back to contest the Tour this summer, and I have no doubt Lance will be ultra-prepared. But I don’t think we’ll ever see a more physically perfect racer, backed by a more well-prepared team, in our lifetimes. Last year's victory was one for the ages. Bravo, Lance!

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