August 9th, 2008, Lance Armstrong competed in the Leadville 100 mountain bike race. Even most non-cyclists know who Lance is. Five time defending Leadville 100 champ, Dave Wiens, is less well known.
Even though Dave Wiens is less well known than Lance, he had a very successful mountain bike career. He won 2 World Cup races and numerous NORBA races. Dave was inducted into the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame in 2000.
During the early 90s, I saw Dave at many races in Colorado. Before mountain biking grew in popularity, often the Pros and Experts would start together and I’d be close to him on the start line.
Dave’s wife, Susan DeMattei, was also a top pro mountain biker. In 1996 she won a bronze medal at the Olympics in Atlanta. In 1994 she won the silver medal at Worlds. She was inducted into the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame in 1997.
Here are several videos of what became a race between Dave Wiens and Lance. Course conditions were great from rain leading up to the race. With the good course conditions and by working together they shattered the course record Wiens set in 2007 when Floyd Landis raced.
Lance Armstrong and David Wiens talking at the pre-race meeting.
Closer view of Lance Armstrong at the pre-race meeting.
Closer view of Dave Wiens at the pre-race meeting.
Great summary video of the 2008 Leadville 100.
Good video of that start that shows just how many racers there are. The race is so popular that there’s a lottery to do it.
Another video of the start.
Lead riders go through the Pipeline aid station outbound.
Dave Wiens and Lance Armstrong hike-a-bike up the “North Face“.
Dave Wiens and Lance Armstrong come into the Pipeline aid station on the way back.
Dave Wiens wins his 6th Leadville 100 with a new record of 6:45:45!
Lance finishes the 2008 Leadville 100 almost 2 minutes behind Dave Wiens.
Lance after he finished. It looks like he’s in the medical tent and shows his bloody elbow from his crash.
Lance calls Dave Wiens a stud at the awards ceremony and also mentions he may race Leadville again in 2009.
Lance gives a few thoughts on the race.
This video isn’t of Dave Wiens or Lance Armstrong but shows more of the course from a flip video camera on one of the racers.
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Tags: Colorado, Dave Wiens, Lance Armstrong, Leadville 100, mountain biking
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