August 24 - Heilbronn, 9.00 August 25 - Schorndorf, 18.30 August 26 - Hof, 18.30 August 27 - Erlangen, 19.00 August 28 - Regensburg, 17.00 August 29 - Ulm, 14.00 August 30 - Böblingen, 18.30 August 31 - Freiburg, 19.00
27-year old Armstrong has said he will maintain a strong financial commitment to his cancer research foundation. Lance Armstrong is auctioning the yellow jersey in which he won the Tour de France this year. Proceeds benefit the Foundation he set up to fight urological cancer. Bids for the jersey may be placed on the internet at http://activeusa.com/auction/ for 22 days, the Tour duration.
In recognition of his accomplishments, the USA Olympic Committee named Lance Armstrong as its the Male Athlete of the Month.
At times Friday, Lance Armstrong hardly looked like the 27-year-old Texan who less than a month ago won the Tour de France. He huffed and puffed and ached and cramped. Every lap, he had to get off his bike and carry it for a hundred yards.
He was still the brash storybook hero who had returned from testicular cancer that had spread to his abdomen, lungs and brain. As an adoring public discovered, he was also mortal.
This was his first important American competition since France, and illogically it was a mountain-bike race, the sixth and final race of the Chevy Trucks series to crown the national cross-country champion. Over the years, Armstrong had ridden in a handful of races on these sturdy bikes with knobby tires. But this, he said, was nothing like racing on a road bike.
"This is a real hard sport," he said. "Nothing in the Tour de France compares to this. It was much harder than I expected. It's only a two-hour race, but it was the hardest two hours of my life. I have a lot of respect for these guys."
Armstrong rode aggressively for as long as he could. Of the 88 riders who started and the 64 who finished, he placed sixth, 3 minutes 27 seconds behind Travis Brown, who won the series championship. As Brown said of his Trek-Volkswagen teammate, "I think for the amount of experience Lance has on a mountain bike, his race was unbelievable."
The weekend competition at the base of Mount Snow in southern Vermont attracted 10,000 spectators. The men's pro race consisted of six laps of a 3.8-mile course over trails and pebbled roads, and thousands watched from the hills and kept chanting Armstrong's name.
"In one section," Armstrong said, "I kept getting off the bike and carrying it. I don't think anyone rode the whole course uphill. It was mossy and rooty a nd rocky and narrow. It was a hard course because it was undulating the entire time. There were probably 10 separate little climbs on every lap. My back was tight and tired. My legs were cramping up. That never happens in road racing."
For the first third of the race, Armstrong was riding in the front five, and at one point he led. But his diminished training in recent weeks took its toll.
"After two laps," he said, "I told myself: 'This is going to be tough. We're 33 percent done and I'm hurting already.' The first half of the race was sort of fun. The second half wasn't."
Why is he riding two races in two days here?
"It's a competition," he said beforehand, "and I'm a competitor. It is also something I find enjoyable. Whether it is a road bike or mountain bike or tandem bike, I enjoy riding a bike."
And people enjoy watching him ride bikes. Especially that overweight, middle-age man lugging a video camera who ran alongside a struggling Armstrong on one of those frightening climbs.
"This is nothing," the man shouted. "Remember Sestriere."
Sestriere is an Italian ski resort in the Alps where Armstrong blew away the competition in the Tour de France. As the man yelled encouragement, Armstrong winced.
"He had no clue," Armstrong said. "This is 10 times tougher than Sestriere."
Why mountain biking?
"The reason why I am here (in Mount Snow) is that I made a commitment to Trek Volkswagen to do the mountain bike races at the beginning of the year which I feel is important to honor the commitment regardless of what happens in the summer time. It is also something that I find enjoyable. Whether it is a road bike or mountain bike, or tandem bike, I enjoy riding a bike. This fits into what I consider my job description, and that's racing bicycles. I am very excited about being here.
On course description
"I do not have much experience on one. I cannot compare it to anything else. I have done regional stuff in Texas, but this course is technically easier than Park City (Utah, his debut in professional mountain biking in the U.S. in 1998). I had some troubles in Park City with the long descent. It helped to get here yesterday (Wednesday) to ride the course for a few days.
Description of second-place finish at King of the Rockies last weekend
That race was totally different. It was point-to-point. I had not seen that course before, and heard about it the night before the race. I decided it would be good to do the race in preparation for this race. I knew I would suffer from the altitude, but I knew it would help to have another race under my belt. It was totally different, and it made it harder by not seeing the course.
Description of mountain biking career
"My first mountain bike experience was in 1991 in Austin. I won it, but it was a little race. I have always ridden my mountain bike in the wintertime. People don't realize that in Austin, Texas we have a lot of accessible mountain bike trails ? straight from the city. I have ridden a mountain bike for many years.
Difference between road and mountain biking
"It is more athletic (mountain biking). The skill level of a mountain biker is different than a road racer. There are a lot of road racers who could never do this because of the technical stuff and the coordination it requires. I am one of them I think. It's just totally different, but it's all cycling.
"I get nervous. In road racing, I get nervous a little bit in field sprints where the potential for crashes is high. But with this race, I would be lying if I said I was not nervous.
"I do have concern about crashing. But what is the worst thing that can happen. Well, I do know what could happen. I try not to think about that. Road racing itself is a dangerous sport. You think about hitting pavement at 40 miles per hour, or hitting dirt and rocks and I would have to pick dirt and pebbles every time.
Thoughts of USPS teammates
"They think it is cool. They just told me to be careful. The guys on the team (U.S. Postal Service, Armstrong's road team) are very supportive.
2000 mountain bike plans
"We will see how tomorrow goes before we make any plans. I can take the risk of doing these races now, and falling off and getting hurt now. But in May or June, I cannot take that chance. Even in April, it would be a risk. If I continue to do them (mountain bike races), it will have to be after the Tour. It is a different lifestyle and a different scene, which is a nice change. It is more of a community atmosphere at a mountain bike race. It is totally different from where I come from. The European road teams are very intense.
How serious about making 2000 Olympic mountain bike team
"They are not very serious. I do not deserve to go to the Olympics for mountain biking. Maybe on the road (smile). I will not have time to be part of the trials. These guys are the best Americans, and they are better than I am. I am not really considering that as an option.
Relationship with Trek
"It came about through the Postal team because of the relationship with Trek. I plan on being with Postal for years to come, and I am sure they plan to have a relationship with Trek for years to come. It is a three-way relationship now. As long as I am associated with Trek bikes, which I think will be for at least five years. I hope that I am always welcomed.
Goal for this race
"I don't know how my physical condition is compared to the others. In the past three weeks, I have been so busy with other things. I have ridden but I have not ridden seriously, so I do not know if I have the condition to win. I will say that Travis Brown (Trek teammate) has a serious chance to win the series. I know on the team side that tactics are not part of it, but I would do anything to jeopardize his chances of winning the series. I am a competitor, and I will feel desire to succeed at the start line. We will have to see.
Training for mountain biking
"I started about a week ago, and that is the first time that I have ridden a mountain bike since January. I crammed it all in. I rode in Vail (Colo.) last week on the dirt, and then did the race in Winter Park (Colo.). I rode quiet a lot yesterday and today (Thursday).
"I do plan to race in Steamboat Springs (Colo., Mercury Tour, Aug. 25-29) next week. If I finish in the top 20 here, I would like to compete in the World Cup event (Belgium over Labor Day weekend).
Thoughts on Vermont
"I have never been to Vermont. I don't think I have driven through or flown over Vermont in my life. It is beautiful. It is cool to come to new places in America, Europe or anywhere in the world. The people have been very friendly, and it's been a great experience so far.
Describe post-Tour times
"It has been busy. I am trying to find some time to spend with my family and friends, and that is the hardest part. When you work so hard for a goal, and you achieve that goal, you want to enjoy it with the people that mean the most to you ? your family and friends. I have not really have anytime to spend in Austin, or spend with my wife (Kristin) since the Tour de France. For it (the win at the Tour) to set in, you have to settle down and I have not had a chance to settle down much. But hopefully in September and October we can catch up.
After effects of Tour
Personally, I do not feel any different. I feel the same, but my schedule is more hectic. To be honest with you, I look at myself the same way. I hope when it comes time to have training camp and spring races, and build up to the Tour de France. I hope that I can approach that the same way I did this year. The person that nobody expected to win the Tour de France, or the person that closer to the Tour was an outsider. I hope that I can approach those things with the same hunger. It is so hard to think about those things now after you just achieved it and a little bit tired mentally. It is hard to think about next year's build up, but I hope to do the same thing. AFFECTS ON LANCE ARMSTRONG FOUNDATION AFTER TOUR WIN "Things are crazy. I was in there (Lance Armstrong Foundation in Austin) the other day, and the phones kept ringing. The Tour de France has been really fantastic for my foundation and for the fight against cancer. It has taught people that they can survive, thrive and have proved that there are success stories in a sad situation sometimes and more times than people think that we have to deal with those things now or surviving and returning to lives and returning to work and returning to family these are all things that people did not think about 10 years ago. Now it is happening. The foundation is doing more and more work with cancer survivors because it is not easy to go from being a sick person and being treated and being so scared that when you come out the other end that you realize maybe you are going to live and then what do you do. You feel like you deserve a vacation, deserve to win the lottery or something like that, but that does not always happen.
Thoughts about race
"This is a bike race. Yes, I am a road racer, and this is a mountain bike race, but forget about that. it's still a bike race. I want to do my best. But I also know that I have a teammate (Travis Brown, Trek) that has a good chance to do great things as well. I don't want to get in anybody's way. But if I am in the right position, then I will have a desire to try to win.
Will short-track cross-country be a stronger event for you?
"I have no idea. I have never seen it, never done it. It is the same for everyone this year. I have not even seen the circuit yet.
Highlights of post-Tour de France travels
"There were three things, but probably the most exciting was visiting the White House, even though I am not necessarily a Democrat and I don't necessarily agree with all the things that have happened over the past few years. It was a thrill to go to the White House, meet the President in the Oval Office and have a long conversation in the Rose Garden. I walked away with a different impression of our President, and I did not think that I would have that. You could see how he has gotten where he is. He is a very charismatic person, and a smart person, and you can see that. He impressed me. The other one was the time in New York at the Stock Exchange. I was overwhelmed with the reception there. And, David Letterman was very cool. That was a surprise too. He was different than I thought. He was very serious. He did not try to make it a funny interview, or crack jokes.
Reception in Austin after Tour
"They had a parade in Austin. I was nervous for that because typically I don't like the 'Lancefest'. They said that there was 100,000 people attending. The community in Austin has been fantastic, even when I first moved there they covered my situation. When I got sick, they covered the situation. The community put its arms around me. When I did not want to race anymore, or when I quit, they were supportive. When I came back, they were supportive. Then, when I win the Tour, they throw a parade and have a concert on downtown on Lake, which they never do. That's a big no-no in Austin now. The mayor completely supported it. He said we are going to have this parade and concert, and he can go on as long as he wants to. It has been a great city to live in for the last 10 years.
Where will their child be born?
"I asked my wife (Kristin) a long time ago if she wanted to have the baby in France, and she wants to have the baby in Austin. We will go back to France in January. She cannot travel anyway this close to her expected due date.
On competing in other cycling disciplines
At the Trek House, Wade Bootes (dual slalom competitor from Australia) asked me when I would be on the BMX track. I told him I don't know when are you going to compete in the Tour de France? Neither is going to happen.
Thanks to Rich Wanninger, USA Cycling for the compilation
Dunlap was also Friday's cross-country race winner, while her GT teammate Roland Green, Victoria, BC, Canada, took the men's top spot. Brown's second-place finish was enough to take the national title. In only his second national mountain bike race, '99 Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, Austin, Texas, took an impressive sixth place in front of a crown of more than 10,000 fans.
Dunlap came into Friday's race as the series leader, but faced serious challenge from three-time consecutive national champion Ruthie Matthes, Durango, Colo., (Trek-Volkswagen). Going into the finals, Matthes was only 14 points -- the difference between first and second place -- behind Dunlap.
"I knew I had to win today. It didn't matter if it was five or 50 seconds ? I had to win," said Dunlap, who won gold medal at the Pan Am Games earlier in August.
Joining Dunlap and Matthes in an early break off the front was RLX Polo Sport rider Shari Kain, Cupertino, Calif. Matthes and Dunlap traded places frequently throughout the 15.2-mile race, with Matthes leading on the descents and Dunlap charging on the climbs.
"Today was a tactical battle. I attacked early and opened up a gap, but Ruthie (Matthes) would catch me on the descents. I decided to sit on her wheel for awhile and let her do some of the work," said Dunlap, a '96 road Olympian. "Ruthie was riding slower than usual today, though. I knew she wasn't as strong. Her 100 percent wasn't as good as my 100 percent."
The turning point for both women came during the third lap, when Matthes hit a boulder and lost her rhythm.
"When I made that mistake, that's when it opened up. I never gave up. The race isn't over until the finish, and I just kept fighting," said Matthes, the '91 World Champion. "I was descending well, but Alison was stronger on the climbs. It would have been great to win the title, but I'm not going to put myself down. I rode a great race, and I just continue to ride the best I can."
By the fourth lap, Dunlap had more than 30 seconds on the rest of the field. Grigson made a charge for Dunlap, but had to settle for second, 11 seconds behind the new champion. Matthes took third.
"This is my first national title as a mountain biker, so it's huge for me. I was consistent at the NORBA races this year, and I really focused on the title. I think this title is well-deserved," said Dunlap.
In the men's race, two stories unfolded in the opening minutes of the race. While Brown and Steve Larsen, Bend, Ore., (L.L. Bean/Mongoose) began the battle for the national title, mountain bike rookie Armstrong started his quest to conquer the mountain.
In a scene similar to last year's Mount Snow race, Larsen took an early lead, with Green, Brown and Armstrong in tow. By the middle of the first lap, Green was able to overtake Larsen, who would eventually finish in ninth. Throughout the 22.8-mile race, Green would never falter, keeping 40 seconds between him and the rest of the field.
"I was on mission today. I've been trying to win all year, but there's always been something holding me back. At Big Bear (Calif.) I had an ear infection, in Pennsylvania I double-flatted, in Mammoth (Calif.) I couldn't adjust to the altitude and in Utah I double-flatted again. I had to prove it to myself that I could do it ? I could get a win. I knew I had good form coming here this week, and I knew I had a good chance of winning," said Green, a member of the Canadian national team.
Behind Green, Armstrong was holding his own. The world road cycling champion had some off-road experience, competing at last year's Chevy Trucks National Championship Series in Utah. Still, the Mount Snow raced proved to be a challenge.
"We (road cyclists) have not done anything like this for two straight hours in road racing. Nothing in the Tour de France was as hard as this. People should know that it is the hardest two hours in bike racing," said Armstrong. "I am glad that I stuck with my goal to finish today. I am pleased wit my finish (sixth), but I am also feeling effects. I am very sore after this race."
Armstrong may not have won, but he was instrumental in Brown's second-place finish. With the help of Trek-Volkswagen teammate Kirk Molday, Temecula, Calif., Armstrong was able to fend of Brown's attackers and lead him to the finish line. With the overall title in mind, Brown, who started the fourth lap in fourth, began his surge for the front.
"This was a good hard race today. Steve (Larsen) started out strong, and I didn't have a good start. I was worried about catching up to the front again, but having the rest of the team up there was a lot of help. My teammates were able to keep some space between Steve and I, and that took some of the pressure off," said Brown, who won earlier this year in Seven Springs, Pa.
"Winning the national title ? it's been a long-time coming," Brown said. "My primary objective at the beginning of the season was to win the national title. In the past, I haven't had a lot of fast races, but I've slowly developed over each year. Now that the national title is off my goal plate, I can focus on the Olympics next year. Today's accomplishment is one of the biggest in my life."
As for Armstrong, he'll continue his mountain bike career -- part-time.
"I will do mountain bike races in the future, but I do not know what my schedule will permit in 2000 with the training for the Tour de France and the Tour itself. It was so fun training on the course here, but it was not as much fun today. It is such a hard sport."
Pro Women, 15.2 miles, 4 laps: 1. Alison Dunlap (USA) Team GT 1.45.00 2. Mary Grigson (Aus) AIS 0.10 3. Ruthie Matthes (USA) Trek-Volkswagen 0.24 4. Chrissy Redden (Can) Ritchey/Yahoo! 0.38 5. Shari Kain (USA) RLX Polo Sport 1.46 6. Jimena Juarez (Arg) RLX Polo Sport 1.47 7. Golden Brainard (USA) Catera 3.56 8. Ann Grande (USA) unattached 4.12 9. Melanie Dorian (Can) Ford-Devinci 5.15 10. Ann Trombley (USA) Airborne/Kore/White Bros 5.16 Pro Men, 22.8 miles, 6 laps: 1. Roland Green (Can) Team GT 2.12.07 2. Travis Brown (USA) Trek-Volkswagen 0.48 3. Luke Stockwell (Aus) Qranc-Sram 1.14 4. Geoff Kabush (Can) Kona Factory 2.27 5. Jimi Killen (USA) Diamondback 2.52 6. Lance Armstrong (USA) Trek-Volkswagen 3.27 7. Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Fisher-U/Saab 4.07 8. Jess Swiggers (USA) Fisher-U/Saab 4.08 9. Steve Larsen (USA) LL Bean/Mongoose 4.47 10. Tinker Juarez (USA) Volvo-Cannondale 5.01 Final Standings, Women: 1. Alison Dunlap (USA) Team GT 774 2. Mary Grigson (Aus) AIS 774 2. Ruthie Matthes (USA) Trek-Volkswagen 734 3. Ann Trombley (USA) Airborne/Kore/White Bros 670 4. Rene Marshman (USA) Moots 636 5. Shari Kain (USA) RLX Polo Sport 570 Final Standings, Women: 1. Travis Brown (USA) Trek-Volkswagen 714 2. Steve Larsen (USA) LL Bean/Mongoose 708 3. Roland Green (Can) Team GT 668 4. David Wiens (USA) RLX Polo Sport 622 5. Jimi Killen (USA) Diamondback 616
Comments from Women's place-getters
First place: Alison Dunlap (USA, Team GT)
"Today was a tactical battle. I knew I had to win today. It didn't matter if it was five or 50 seconds ? I had to win. I attacked early and opened up a gap, but Ruthie (Matthes) would catch me on the descents. I decided to sit on her wheel for awhile and let her do some of the work. She was riding slower than usual today, though. I knew she wasn't as strong. Her 100 percent wasn't as good as my 100 percent. I figured to day was all or nothing. Once I did get the gap, I just did everything I could to hold onto it until the finish.
"This is my first national title as a mountain biker, so it's huge for me. I was consistent at the NORBA races this year, and I really focused on the title. I think this title is well-deserved."
Third place: Ruthie Matthes (USA, Trek-Volkswagen)
"I think I had a very good performance today. Alison (Dunlap) got a jump on me on the second half of the third lap. I hit a boulder and lost my rhythm. When I made that mistake, that's when it opened up. I never gave up. The race is over until the finish, and I just kept fighting. I was descending well, but Alison was stronger on the climbs. It would have been great to win the title, but I'm not going to put myself down. I rode a great race, and I just continue to ride the best I can."
Fourth place: Chrissy Redden (Canada, Ritchey/Yahoo!)
"This is my first NORBA race of the year, and I have done well during past years in this series. This is a stronger series than our national mountain bike series in Canada, as many of the world's best riders compete in the NCS annually.
"This is a very technical course, and a lot of fun, and I think that is why I have success at Mount Snow. Even though the course is different from a year ago, I felt comfortable during the practice runs and felt confident about doing well today. The weather and course was great here, and I look forward to coming back to Mount Snow in the future."
Comments from Men's place-getters
First place: Roland Green (Canada, Team GT)
"I was on mission today. I've been trying to win all year, but there's always been something holding me back. At Big Bear (Calif.) I had an ear infection, in Pennsylvania I double-flatted, in Mammoth (Calif.) I couldn't adjust to the altitude and in Utah I double-flatted again. I had to prove it to myself that I could do it ? I could get a win. I knew I had good form coming here this week, and I knew I had a good chance of winning. My goal was to win the NORBA series this year, and I know I could have done it. I'm happy with third, but I look back at my mistakes from this year and I think 'What was I was doing?' "
"I wasn't worried about Lance (Armstrong), but I was surprised how technical skills had improved. I'm not sure if he was used to taking the pounding though."
Second place: Travis Brown (USA, Trek-Volkswagen)
"Winning the national title ? it's been a long-time coming. My primary objective at the beginning of the season was to win the national title. In the past, I haven't had a lot of fast races, but I've slowly developed over each year. Now that the national title is off my goal plate, I can focus on the Olympics next year. Today's accomplishment is one of the biggest in my life.
"This was a good hard race today. Steve (Larsen) started out strong, and I didn't have a good start. I was worried about catching up to the front again, but having the rest of the team up there was a lot of help. My teammates were able to keep some space between Steve and I, and that took some of the pressure off.
"The course had some technical climbing, which I really like. The crowd was really into the race and that helped.
"Having Lance (Armstrong) in the race was great. What's he's accomplished is amazing, and having him on the team is motivating for all of us.
Third place: Luke Stockwell (Australia, Qranc/GT) "The team has been great this year. When you have a winning team, it's easier to win. Today's course suited me, and I felt really good going into the race.
"When I was behind Lance (Armstrong), I was picturing him climbing those hills in the Tour de France. It was really great inspiration."
Fourth place: Jeff Kabush (Canada, Kona)
"This is the second fourth for the year. I placed fourth in the short-track at Snow Summit, Calif. This is only the second NORBA national I've done this year. My priority this season has been racing in Canada. Last weekend, I took third in the Canadian national championships. I've been racing for 7 or 8 years, mostly in Canada, but I like doing the NORBA race. I was happy with the course today. The climbs were bumpy, but I was able to keep control and perform well. I've had a good season, and this is a good end."
1. Jonathan Erdely (Ideal Tile/YSG Racing) 2. Phil Cable (Enzymatic Therapy/Carrera) 3. Jon Wirsing (Snow Valley) 4. Billy Innes (Kissena) 5. Stephen Kincaid (Excite/Smartfuel) 6. Jason Gould (Breakaway Couriers) 7. Curt Davis (Wheelworks/Cannondale) 8. Matt Svatek (Wheelworks/Cannondale) 9. Jonathan Dechau (DMS/Rennassance) 10. Rafal Urzedowski (Navigators) 11. Eric Workowski (Schweitzer/First State Velo) 12. Skip Menard (Bicycle Therapy) 13. Neal Stansbury (Amoroso/Cyclesport) 14. Josh Frick (Snow Valley) 15. Shawn McCormack (Wheelworks/Cannondale) 16. Mark Light (Target/I.C.E.) 17. Torry Marks (Snow Valley) 18. Matt Willis (Enzymatic Therapy/Carrera) 19. Peter Stokloza (Wheelworks/Cannondale) 20. Peter Naylor (Wendy's/Allsport) 21. Dave AMrgolin (Liberty Cycles) 22. Karl Rahn (Bicycle Therapy) 23. Dave Hudson (Mamabo Kings/D&Q Sports) 24. Scott Bodin (Liberty Cycles) 25. Greg Cordasco (Liberty Cycles) 26. Bryan Chickowtas (Schweitzer/First State Velo) 27. Andrew Elstein (Amoroso/Cyclesport) 28. Chris Kaefer (Liberty Cycles) 29. Carlos Rogers (Bicycle Therapy) 30. David Edry (Wheelworks/Cannondale)Thanks to Slimnek