How much fun did seven time Tour de France Champion Lance Armstrong have racing against Dave Wiens at the Leadville 100 last month in Colorado? So much so that he decided to come out of retirement and to go after an unprecedented eighth Tour GC in 2009. This time around, however, The Champ decided to have some fun building up for his bid at France. So he looked for as much mountain bike racing as possible near home. Lance, a fresh Aspen homeowner, had only to head out the front door for the Smuggler-Hunter Creek Cross-Country being put on by the local Aspen Cycling Club. This time around, Lance won it after a short battle with local hero Len Zanni.
Following the Smuggler-Hunter Lance immediately looked for more mountain bike opportunities. The call actually came to him, as very recent competitor Len Zanni and friend Max Taam were looking to Lance as the third member of their team for the inaugural 12 Hours of Snowmass endurance race.
Lance didn't have to think hard about it once he heard who was on the line: 2007 U.S. Mountain Bike Marathon Champ Jay Henry and ex Norba Champs Mike Kloser AND Dave Wiens, all riding for Team Beaver Creek. Payback time!
Lance's group called the three man union Team Livestrong. Livestrong they did, as the trio captured victory with a 17 lap ride culminating at 6:55:07 p.m. in the evening. (The event began at 7:00:00 a.m. that morning.) It was a finish that was 0:01:46 ahead of Dave Wien's Team Beaver Creek.
12 HOURS OF SNOWMASS SOLO RESULTS
1. Yuki Saito...Waltworks-Fuentes Design...12 laps...6:17:22 p.m. time at finish
2. Paul Gorbold...Pedal Power-Street Swell...12...6:29:12
3. Daniel Ourada...12...6:52:28
4. Kimo Seymour...Landis Cycle...11...5:53:07
5. Andrew Carney...11...6:01:54
6. Dean Hill...11...6:10:26
7. Alberto Contador Coto...11...6:35:14
8. Josh Cullen...Rocky Mountain Racing...11...6:43:41
9. Matthew Moerdyk...11...6:56:31
10. Dave Muscianisi...10...5:55:56
WOMEN
1. Kelley Cullen...Rky Mtn Racing...11 laps...6:04:13 p.m. time at finish
2. Erika Tieszen...Michelin-Decline...9...5:34:58
3. Amy Robillard...Tough Girl-Contessa...9...6:06:41
4. Kerry White...9...6:35:04
5. Lisa Cramton...8...5:37:04
6. Bobbi Bensman...8...5:58:25
7. Anna Hanson...8...6:58:52
8. Jessica Woodings...7...5:42:44
9. Robin Smay...7...6:04:21
10. Sara Palin...CIA...6:04:21
TOP CLYD: Brad Grohusky...Wilderness Sports...11...6:37:49
TOP SNG SPD: Matt Turgeon...11...6:05:20