I think an equally good measurement of athletic capability is the Olympic Games. In Beijing in 2008, Longo came in 4th in the individual time trial missing the podium by 1 second. Kristin Armstrong of the USA won. Coming in 5th was a local woman from our Webcor Builders pro team Christine Thornburn.

I cannot speak about Longo but Christine is an amazing cyclist. In our local time trial she has the record for the fastest time for women (she holds most records at most of the local time trial races) and there are only a few men that can beat her. She beats all the women - Olympian dah.

August 13, 2008: 2008 Olympic Games - Beijing: Women's time trial (23.5 km):
1 Kristin Armstrong (United States) 00:34:51:72
2 Emma Pooley (Great Britain) 0.24.29
3 Karin Thurig (Switzerland) 0.59.27
4 Jeannie Longo-Ciprelli (France) 1.00.90
5 Christine Thorburn (United States) 1.02.44

Anyone who thinks Longo is not a great cyclist and competitor or thinks women's cycling is a joke is uninformed. Longo may be one of the greatest athletes of all times. Time will tell.