Armstrong at Snowmass

[egtalbot]

Most other professional roadies will at least train if not race in other disciplines during the season and off-season as part of cross-training. Many are also highly competitive runners and downhill and cross-country skiers.

I really agree with most of your post, but I have to take issue with the statement that "many are also highly competitive runners." Maybe you could find a rare one who can run a 2:25 marathon (I can't think of one but there's got to be someone), which would be maybe get them into top 100 on the American list most years, not highly competitive in my book.

Now, I am certain that some professional cyclists (ones built more like Contador than Lance) could be professional runners if they focused on it exclusively for a period of years, but simply doing it in the off-season is unlikely to result in them being highly competitive.

 

[elapid]

I really agree with most of your post, but I have to take issue with the statement that "many are also highly competitive runners." Maybe you could find a rare one who is, although I'm not even aware of any who have run a 2:25 marathon, which would be maybe get them into top 100 on the American list most years, not highly competitive in my book.

Good point.

 

[Deagol]

LA has raced mountain bikes on and off (albeit mostly off) for years. I know someone who saw him race at Winter Park back in the 90’s. He was always good on a MTB. Also, remember his bike handling years ago in the TDF on the downhill where Beloki crashed in front of him and LA had to go off-road at speed to avoid the crash. His winning at Snowmass is no surprise at all (doper or not). It would have been more surprising if he NOT won. My money is on him winning at Leadville this coming Saturday as well. I don’t think Weins will have a chance this year, unfortunately. Arbiter, you may praise him if you wish. No doubt some will join you, but many on this forum will not (for various reasons). LA winning a few races along the way won’t change any one’s mind.

 

[Izoard]

I gotta say I'm a bit surprised that this topic is in the Clinic and that it has gotten so much mileage. It's not like this was a World Cup or US Cup. I think if Andy Schleck showed up to a regional MTB race in Lux it would not get anywhere near this type of coverage (although that is only my opinion).

 

[Mongol_Waaijer]

It's easy to look like a good bike handler when your status, power, wealth and reputation mean that you are allowed by the others to ride unchallenged in that perfect place in the neck of the peloton for hours on end.

 

[Cobber]

LA has raced mountain bikes on and off (albeit mostly off) for years. I know someone who saw him race at Winter Park back in the 90’s. He was always good on a MTB. Also, remember his bike handling years ago in the TDF on the downhill where Beloki crashed in front of him and LA had to go off-road at speed to avoid the crash. His winning at Snowmass is no surprise at all (doper or not). It would have been more surprising if he NOT won. My money is on him winning at Leadville this coming Saturday as well. I don’t think Weins will have a chance this year, unfortunately. Arbiter, you may praise him if you wish. No doubt some will join you, but many on this forum will not (for various reasons). LA winning a few races along the way won’t change any one’s mind.

I still think he should have been panalised for cutting the course!

 

[psychlist]

Don't feed the troll. You will starve him of that thing he needs the most. Take if from a troll, it works.

Truer words may have never been said.