The 12 Hours of Snowmass course was relatively short…
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…but nearly all of its 450m of climbing came in the first 5km.
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Beaver Creek's Jay Henry was first up the climb…
Photo ©: James Huang
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…but Armstrong was just behind in fourth position.
Photo ©: James Huang
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Henry's first lap was also the fastest of the day at just 40:57.
Photo ©: James Huang
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Armstrong was just under a minute behind though.
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Endurance racing legend and mountain bike Hall of Famer Mike Kloser
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…with Livestrong's Len Zanni close behind.
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The near-3000m top of the course offered stunning views…
Photo ©: James Huang
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…and there was even a hot air balloon festival off in the distance
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Len Zanni looking comfortable
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2008 Leadville 100 winner Dave Wiens
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Taam comes into the transition area to tag Armstrong
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Wiens comes in shortly afterward…
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…and Henry sets off in chase of Armstrong.
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Save for the fire road sections that bracketed each lap
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Armstrong approaches the creek in full flight…
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…powers through…
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…emerges into the sunlight…
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…and then rockets off into the distance.
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Henry was soon to follow…
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…and apparently had traded his initial full-suspension Gary Fisher
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Armstrong's routine was clearly dialed.
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Armstrong would emerge from his hotel
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Clean handoffs were key to a smooth race.
Photo ©: James Huang
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Armstrong and Henry chat things up
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Zanni cruises into the finish
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Kloser couldn't catch Zanni but still logged a super fast lap
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Len Zanni, Lance Armstrong and Max Taam
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Team Beaver Creek riders Dave Wiens, Mike Kloser and Jay Henry
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Rocky Mountain Racing riders Derek Henderson, Michael Mathers and Bryan Mickiewicz
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Waltworks/Fuentes Design rider Yuki Saito not only hails all the way from Japan…
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…but even won the men's solo category.
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Karen White of Team Type 1 doesn't just talk the talk;
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Team High Maintenance rider Amy Hermes
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Nat Ross interviews Sari Anderson
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Armstrong says that one main reason he's embarked on a comeback
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Likewise, Boulder resident Sean Madsen
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