Ben Stiller is a 'big fan' of Lance Armstrong

Ben Stiller is a 'big fan' of Lance Armstrong

Hollywood star Ben Stiller paid a visit to seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong before yesterday's third stage of the Tour de France.

The Night at the Museum actor went into the Astana team bus in Marseille just before the start of the race and was thrilled by his chat with the Texan.

"I'm a big Lance fan," Stiller said. "It's my first time on the Tour. It's the real deal here. I'm very excited."

Stiller arrived at the bus when Armstrong and his teammates were discussing the day's strategy before a 196.5-kilometre ride to La Grande-Motte.

"I tried to give him some pointers, but I don't think it was very helpful," the actor said, as he came out of the bus with his wife Christine Taylor. "He is incredible and he is so loose in there now."

Armstrong had a brief role in Stiller's hit comedy Dodgeball.