Rotifer
12-31-02, 05:31 PM
Though I admire his achievements, I'm not much of an Armstrong fan. However, I do appreciate the little boost he's given cyclocross.
Lance Armstrong wins first ever cyclocross race
December 21, 2002, Austin, Texas, Lance Armstrong races in the Texas Bicycle Racing Association's Walnut Creek Cyclocross Challenge presented by REI Austin Cycling Team. Lance had some good local state competition from the reigning state champion and Texas Cup champion, Will Black, as well as the reigning state Mountain Bike series winner, Jason Sager. The two local heroes sent off attacks early on when Will Black finally got a 20 second gap ahead of the Lance Armstrong group. Lance widdled away the gap over the last half of the 60-minute race to win with a clear enough margin in the last lap. Prior to the race someone asked Lance what he had thought of the course and he replied, "I don't know, I never have raced cross before." Lance is no stranger to riding and racing off the road with a recent win in the Dirty Duathalon in his hometown of Austin and has competed in several Mountain Bike races. The whole crowd had a real treat to see the four-time Tour de France champion proving his prowess on the bike in a new (to him) format of racing. The race promoter, James Sides, mentioned that it was a real honor to have Lance at the event and hopes that this will help boost support for the sport of cyclocross both locally and nationally.
The top 5 results follow:
1. Lance Armstrong-USPS
2. Will Black-Lone Star
3. Brian Ellis-GCCA
4. Rob Kane-Team Diabetic
5. Scott Henry-Trek/VW
Lance Armstrong wins first ever cyclocross race
December 21, 2002, Austin, Texas, Lance Armstrong races in the Texas Bicycle Racing Association's Walnut Creek Cyclocross Challenge presented by REI Austin Cycling Team. Lance had some good local state competition from the reigning state champion and Texas Cup champion, Will Black, as well as the reigning state Mountain Bike series winner, Jason Sager. The two local heroes sent off attacks early on when Will Black finally got a 20 second gap ahead of the Lance Armstrong group. Lance widdled away the gap over the last half of the 60-minute race to win with a clear enough margin in the last lap. Prior to the race someone asked Lance what he had thought of the course and he replied, "I don't know, I never have raced cross before." Lance is no stranger to riding and racing off the road with a recent win in the Dirty Duathalon in his hometown of Austin and has competed in several Mountain Bike races. The whole crowd had a real treat to see the four-time Tour de France champion proving his prowess on the bike in a new (to him) format of racing. The race promoter, James Sides, mentioned that it was a real honor to have Lance at the event and hopes that this will help boost support for the sport of cyclocross both locally and nationally.
The top 5 results follow:
1. Lance Armstrong-USPS
2. Will Black-Lone Star
3. Brian Ellis-GCCA
4. Rob Kane-Team Diabetic
5. Scott Henry-Trek/VW