Armstrong vs. Wiens, Take 2

[Sue George]

See this MTB News story about the 2009 Leadville 100 - a battle that seems to be shaping up between Lance Armstrong and Dave Wiens.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/mtb.php?id=news/2009/mar09/mar18mtbnews

What do you think? Who will win?

It seems like Armstrong should be strong after racing the fast guys on the road all season, but maybe he'll be tired? And Wiens has certainly proven that he knows how to win the race!

 

[flyor64]

I'm an LA fan...but my heart's with Wiens to win it again...

 

[canucklehead]

armstrong vs wiens rematch? i'd take wiens. if flandis was there i'd still take wiens and then a battle royale between armstrong and floyd for 2nd. gilberto simoni rides dirt too and did some endurance stuff in europe last year didn't he? now if they could get him, and if they can figure out a way how to get deadly nedly and tinker there, it'd be even more interesting...

 

[wiggintona]

LA by 2 minutes

The last race against Wiens was after a relatively short training period and Wiens had the opportunity to draft off Lance for parts of the ride. With LA having had a 3 week intense training period(Tour De France) followed by a rest and recovery period I wouldn't think Wiens will be able to see Lance by the end.

 

[cyclelicious]

Dave Wiens mtb'r extrodinaire of course

 

[Cloxxki]

From what I've read, last time Lance was not dropped on technical sections as we predicted. He took the lead on the downhills, and pushed Wiens to ride up the hardest climbs (you'd think a recent sub-hr marthon runner would't mind a hike).

Realistically, next time Armstrong being a professional top-shape grnad tour racer vs and ex-bike pro, he should improve a bit more than the difference he had to grant Wiens in 2008. It's between a super good 40+ ex-pro avid MTB's, and a <40 current world class pro. As a "lazy" retiree, Lance lost 2 minutes or so? Lance is just different. Gotta hate his Texas (or US for that matter) attitude and can-win-it-all talent, but it's for real. Genetics, half it from a tiny mentially strong mother and MF dad he never knew.

Me, I doubt he'll show up. His schedule is always messed up it seems, apart from one race.

 

[flyor64]

Me, I doubt he'll show up. His schedule is always messed up it seems, apart from one race.

Agreed...but I'm holding out hope that he does...just for the level of interest him being there brings...albeit good and bad (depending on one's perspective)

 

[The GCW]

Armstrong loved Leadville

Yes, Lance may not even show.

And yes, Ned would be nice even at age 50+.

-Lance didn?t really know Leadville before, now He knows.

-Elevation like Leadville?s 10,000+ feet is not easy for those who don?t play up there in the alpine zone. Armstrong may not have the time to acclimate properly.

You wouldn?t think Armstrong?s going to be able to put down the road bike and pick up the MTN bike and rule the world.

It is customary for Tour riders to do criteriums etc. after the tour; think of Leadville as a sick Criterium.

Armstrong?s presence may bring out some other roulers, which may throw more talent and more honest contenders into the rumble. There?s a few high country specialists that can win it but many of the people You might think of also have bad days. Armstrong and Wiens are unlikely to have a bad day.

Gotta love Tinker, I don?t think He?s got it but would be considered a contender.

Josh Tostada, Ethan Passant, (those 2 have experience MTN. bike racing at 14,267? above sea level in the dark, folks) Chris Eatough?

I don?t think He?s racing lately now but I?d like to see Rishi Grewal in there. Another Montezuma?s Revenge winner.

Drive Landis to the start line; He's been there!

Can someone beat those 2 if they haven?t raced it though?

Will Armstrong show?

Wiens is such a sweet heart, such a nice person, I?d root for Him for that alone.

 

[Blorpht]

I'd kinda like to see a "nobody" come and show all of them up.

 

[SnoSaw]

Dave can ski too...
http://www.elkmountaintraverse.org/html/results-2009.html

 

[cihruueip]

Price will be more and more high

At present, the price of domestic service杭州家政 in Hangzhou have started to rise. Members of the public have杭州家政服务 begun to worry about it: Next year look for part-time nanny and will more and more difficult? Price will be more and more杭州家政服务价格 high

 

[paddy1]

inflation I gather

At present, the price of domestic service杭州家政 in Hangzhou have started to rise. Members of the public have杭州家政服务 begun to worry about it: Next year look for part-time nanny and will more and more difficult? Price will be more and more杭州家政服务价格 high

oh no!
this is terrible

 

[big johnson]

Video from last year at the Leadville 100

If you have not seen this, its worth a look:

2008 Leadville 100 video

 

[newenglandrocks]

Wow - Mike Kloser won that ski race.. haven't heard that name in years...

 

[Turd Ferguson]

There was recently and interview with LA on velonews TV that said all his racing is prep for leadville (hard to believe). He laughed a bit and reitereated that he was serious. He also mentioned that Levi is going to be there doing it as well. Landis stated intentions of being there as well.

I think Lance will have the advantage over weins with all that racing in his legs once he takes a break after TDF. As far as him not being able to acclimate...he does frequently train in the Aspen area with Levi and sometimes Horner...or there is always a hypobaric chamber for someone with lots of money.

I just tried to find the video interview but couldn't. It was a two part interview.

I would actually like to see a good group of guys having fun and breaking the course record by working together and then unleashing the attacks in the last 10 miles or so.

 

[hscoach2]

There was recently and interview with LA on velonews TV that said all his racing is prep for leadville (hard to believe). He laughed a bit and reitereated that he was serious. He also mentioned that Levi is going to be there doing it as well. Landis stated intentions of being there as well.

I think Lance will have the advantage over weins with all that racing in his legs once he takes a break after TDF. As far as him not being able to acclimate...he does frequently train in the Aspen area with Levi and sometimes Horner...or there is always a hypobaric chamber for someone with lots of money.

I just tried to find the video interview but couldn't. It was a two part interview.

I would actually like to see a good group of guys having fun and breaking the course record by working together and then unleashing the attacks in the last 10 miles or so.

Although I'm sure almost all of the road pros do some mountain biking in the off-season for a fun change of pace, I can't recall ever hearing of Leipheimer doing any.

He and Lance seem to be best buddies now don't they (of course we're all on a first name basis with Lance).

Wouldn't it be great if his participation caused Versus or some other network to cover the race (even as a taped, edited one hour show later on)?

 

[Hammerhed]

Mountain biking somehow doesn't translate well to TV because it's so hard to follow the bikes with a camera vehicle. Even world cup events, with stationary cameras on nearly every corner, don't seem exciting to most people, though I enjoy them just to see the guys ride. That Leadville video was great though. Did you also check out the Umbrella Girls? That's what I'm talking about.

 

[Turd Ferguson]

There was recently and interview with LA on velonews TV that said all his racing is prep for leadville (hard to believe). He laughed a bit and reitereated that he was serious. He also mentioned that Levi is going to be there doing it as well. Landis stated intentions of being there as well.

Well, looks like Levi won't be there to help Lance, but maybe being his bottle b***h...haha only joking.

It would be interesting if versus did cover the leadville race. There is certainly a ton of double track and some road sections that could feasibly be ok for some motor bikes and camera man. This is an mtb race, that if done right, would be good on TV.

 

[lostintime]

When TDF racers typically do post race events, they usually do exceptionally well, so you may see a different result this time.

 

[Turd Ferguson]

When TDF racers typically do post race events, they usually do exceptionally well, so you may see a different result this time.

I do indeed expect a different result this time around. I see Lance and Weins taking pulls on the wide open sections and working together for most of the race.

Maybe they will get mechanicals or have bad crashes and someone else will get the glory though. Maybe Ned Overend should give it a run...he just ripped it at MTB nationals.

Velonews TV will likely be there with Boulder being a 4 hour drive (I think) to Leadville so at least we will get some video and interviews.

 

[Turd Ferguson]

I recently heard through the pro mtb grapevine (not me but a buddy) that Lance has hired Travis Brown to work for him at Leadville. There was also mention of another name he hired but I forgot that one. It looks like he is trying to set up and ASTANA train at the front. I do hope he or someone breaks the record through some epic battle, but I would hate to see it unfold like a tour stage. It's all hersay anyways though so we shall see.

 

[BigBoat]

As far as him not being able to acclimate...he does frequently train in the Aspen area with Levi and sometimes Horner...or there is always a hypobaric chamber for someone with lots of money.

.

LOL, good one.

 

[Turd Ferguson]

LOL, good one.

It will be funny if the Vampires show up in the Colorado high country before or after the race..."oh guys I don't know who you are, but I just finished the mtb race and I am dirty, let me hope in the shower for 20 minutes and I'll be right with you"

 

[yanpeijian]

It is a unknown!

We cannot indicate the result only the day they raced can tell us the result!And i am looking forward to it!
Just do it!

 

[bkbkbk]

I hope LA gets completly owned by Weins