Lance Armstrong’s Pro Masters Unsanctioned Race – Who will win?
Twitter feed from Lance Armstrong
This is one for the keen triathletes out there. If you haven’t been keeping up to date with this developing story, back in 2012 Chris McCormack called Lance Armstrong out to race (see below) and the topic was brought up recently by Bob Babbitt with ‘Macca’ in the build up to the Laguna Phuket triathlon – http://triathlon.competitor.com/2013/12/video/post-challenge-laguna-phuket-interview-chris-mccormack_90711
It seems from Lance Armstrong’s twitter feed that we now have a race on our hands (nothing like a good social media storm to move these things along) but who is your favourite (comment below and let me know your thoughts). The current competitors are listed as follows:
Lance Armstrong – American former professional road racing cyclist. Armstrong had won the Tour de France a record seven consecutive times between 1999 and 2005 before being disqualified from those races and banned from competitive cycling for life for doping offenses by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) in 2012. After originally being a triathlete before focusing solely on cycling, Lance went back to the sport once he retired from cycling. Before he was banned from competitive races he won 2 Half Ironman triathlon race in Hawaii – the second 70.3 distance event in 3:50:55. The same race having Greg Bennett and Chris Lieto finishing second and third in 3:53:41 and 4:05:55 respectively. Before he could qualify for the World Championships in the full distance (140.6km) he was banned. Lance’s full Ironman 70.3 record can be found here – http://www.runtri.com/2012/02/lance-armstrong-results-at-ironman-703.html
Greg Bennett – has won six World Cup titles, as well as being ranked world number one triathlete in 2002 and 2003. Bennett competed at the second Olympic triathlon at the 2004 Summer Olympics. He placed fourth with a total time of 1:51:41.
Chris Lieto -is a professional triathlete and the winner of the 2006Ironman Japan, 2005 Ironman Canada, and 2002 Ironman Wisconsin triathlons
Chris McCormack – is a two-time winner of the Ironman World Championship, winning the titles in 2007 and 2010. He is also the winner of the 1997 International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Cup Series, the 1997 Triathlon World Championships, and the 2012 Long Distance World Championships.
FYI – John Ratzan is a Ironman Foundation Newton Running Ambassador
Thoughts? Remember form, possible race location/conditions, current sporting participation, rather than necessarily record.
If the ‘other’ athletes have any integrity, they would refuse to race with the disgraced Armstrong – unless they are willingly saying they don’t care about his cheating and defrauding the cycling and wider public and the bringing of the sport into disrepute – or are they admitting they are equally culpable! The same could be said of the Race Organisers. What on earth are they doing allowing Armstrong to participate, do they have no standards, no shame? All other entrants should confirm their withdrawal from the event if Armstrong is included. This is a no-brainer. This cannot enhance the sport of triathlon.
Jason is spot on.
Phil, while I agree with some of your thoughts I can’t help but wonder why the sever negativity. Honestly I think people have been taking the whole doping thing far to personally. Did Lance cheat, yes. Was he destructive and self-serving in how he protected the lie, absolutely! Did he defraud the public, hmm this is where I have a question. Truly I don’t think so, racing and pro sports are forms of entertainment and I for one was entertained. The public and especially the American public only like one thing more than a hero and that is a fallen hero. For years I was certain that Lance was doping. On many occasions during conversations with other athlete I stated I was pretty sure he was doing something as were most of the other cyclists in the Tour. He just had the drive, money and the correct people to keep him ahead of the testing. I think it is wrong to lay the fault at the feet of one individual when it has been shown to be one of the dirtiest times in cycling. ( Lances forfeited titles where not awarded due to the fact all the athletes below him were also dirty). If you believe that the doping issue is done and gone from the pro tour I have some ocean front property in Arizona to sell you. We are still seeing performance which can be classified as not normal. Look at Chris Froom in the alps in this years tour. If you think this is a recent problem all you need to do is go back into the tours history, every generation has had a substance or pratice which is now banned. Jacques Anquetil the first 5 time winner of the Tour de France and a confirmed drug user was quoted saying “What? You think I win my races on sugar alone?”. Regularly took amphetamines during his races. I would not be surprised if we subjected all of the greats ( Mercks, Henuilt, Indurain and even the now only American winner LeMond) to the same litmus test we applied to Armstrong then we would have more fallen hero’s than the sport could recover from. The average athalete must keep in mind the difference in performance at the pro level useing PED’s is measured in seconds not hours. Even without the PED’s Laces is still an elite athaleet and would still produce performance which may not have won him the Tour but would have kept him in the pro field for the same period of time. I feel the real sad part is we have people like Travis Tygart head of USADA who are more interested in proving they were right then actually trying to fix the underlying issues or improving the sport. As long as there is money driving pro sports then there will always be people who are will to bend and break the rules in order to win. I don’t have any solutions however I do feel the current grandstanding is not good for any sport.
As far as an unsanctioned masters race I find it offensive for you to question the integrity of the other athletes to agree to race. If it bothers you so much don’t watch. The pro’s are only providing the public what they want which is a spectacle and entertainment. It is going to bring publicity to the sport and to quote PT Barnum there is no bad publicity. I think there is the possibility to have a positive message come out of this. We have confirmed champions who are and have been subject to the more stringent testing and Bio-passport process willing to put there tested and confirmed performances up against someone who may still be doping to prove that even with unnatural help their handwork and dedication to the sport will prevail.
To answer the question which began this thread I feel the public will win, this is an opportunity to use the draw of Armstrong to promote and expand the sport of triathlon.
Jason is spot on.
But does it expand the sport in a positive direction…? Discuss.
Jason,
Very well stated. I look forward to watching the race if it does happen.
Well, interesting conversation. On a personal note having a sporting background and the opportunity to train elite athletes in different sports it comes down to the individual whom decides their reasons for doping or not doping. Often, if not always their dream of been the best fuels their decision which they hope will be financially rewarded. Many non athletes people simply train and dope for nothing more than self gratification. No one locks them up or even ask why they would? So I guess I agree with Jason on many of the points he raised. Lance with or without Drugs is a unique individual that will raise attention, for good or bad reasons. Now that he is convicted, people speak of him with crime in mind, had he been innocent people would speak of the the good that he has done. (And he has done some) The common ground is that people will speak of him.
It has been said that anyone that experiences success will be criticized, sports is no different. Remember sports is a business and needs constant entertainment
(bums on seat, money in the bank) Lance certainly provided that.
As far as the tour and over major sporting events been drug free?
well I remember reading a survey where elite national athlete that had been caught for doping where asked if time could be put back, would they dope again? The answer to almost 100% was NO they would not do it again.
Then the following question was, if time could be put back to allow them to dope again with the certainty that the drugs they took would never ever be able to be detected, allowing them to never be caught for doping, would they dope??
Interesting to note that almost 100% said _____
I’ll let you figure out that answer, and that explains human nature!
PS I’ll be watching some of the world best, fueled by God knows what, still the best of best…
Don’t forget to invite the great Jason Shortis
If he is clean why not!! I for one would love to see him competing and what infuriates me is that people are so naive to think that cheating doesn’t take place in the sport of triathlon at the moment!! I do not condone it in any way shape or form but don’t start slating someone who actually beneath it all is a great athlete and as much as he did bad he also raised a lot of awareness and money for Cancer research!!! And lets not forget governing bodies and race organizers weren’t exactly discouraging any of what was going on and that many others were doing it and many still are!!
Just another reason to hate Tri athletes , They need to respect the USADA ban form sports. I Have ZERO respect for anyone who wishes to compete against Mr. Armstrong.
Wow, love the fact your hating a group which is by far the most tolerant and inclusive group of athletes out there. Well it’s apparent you part of the cycling group which would rather look down you nose at anyone who in your opinion can’t appreciate Canpy, Snobbery and the exclusive prejudiced you promote. Just so we are clear yes I am a triathlete as well as a bike racer. While I won’t pretend to be some kind of spectacular cyclist dominating every race I enter, I also am not pack filler. It give me great motivation when cyclists like you look down at the Ironman tattoo on my calf and snort with distaste or even better make comments about staying away from me because Tri guys can’t bike handle. So it is quit fulfilling for me to when these individuals would not finish or be beaten by this Tri guy. With over 40 races this summer, multiple top 5s and no crashes I feel I have paid my dues as a cyclist. The most important thing is I have the respect of the other races I raced with. While I do agree that Lance is a slime ball for his treatment of people who were telling the truth, your “hate” of Triathlete seems a little extreme. I guess using your logic no one should support any of the Gran Tours as there are many admitted and convicted dopers in the Pro peloton. Where is your respect”Zero respect” for these individuals, the UCI, the team’s who employ them, the other racers. Seriously get real pull your nose out of the air and see it for what it is, a sport, pastime, way to stay fit and enjoy life. Then again I guess you could hold Mr. Armstrong wheel easily if he hadn’t doped.
Matt, while I very much respect your thoughts on having “ZERO respect for anyone who wishes to compete against Mr. Armstrong”, why are you hating on triathletes? Why do you and some cyclists seemingly look down on triathletes? I cycle with friends, groups on group rides, and I also participate in the sport of triathlon. I’m just a regular triathlon age grouper and I enjoy my time riding and cycling with others. I just don’t get why some cyclists really dislike, and have this venomous hatred of, triathletes. Overall, the sport of triathlon is filled with such a friendly, inclusive group of athletes who are very welcoming and extremely supportive to participants at every athletic level — from Sprint Triathlons to the Ironman level. It is a shame that you have these thoughts about other active people trying to get out there, try their best, and look to improve themselves thru a very physically grueling sport that is triathlon. I’m sorry you feel the way you do. Your attitude not only reflects badly on cyclists overall, but it is quite sad and unfortunate you have such negative feelings as these.
get over it!!!…
(especially matt and others of the no tolerance guys!)
lance cheated – but if some sporting celebs want to have a go at him – why not?
you don’t want to watch? OK
no one wants to bradcast? OK
no one will write in the papers about it? OK
this is like when “embarassing” bands sold millions of records, and officially no one ever bought them…
let the “old men” have their fun – and I bet you wanna know the result
don’t worry, be happy….uuuuhhuhuhuhuhuh
If the start list is accurate then this is a legends race except these athletes are still near the peak of their ability/capacity. Sure Armstrong is an ass. I still want to see if he can compete with clean athletes in triathlon. He said he could win Kona. I say back it up. He never did go 140.6 in a race.
Why not talk to/invite the fastest American Iron man athlete ever, Andrew Staykowicz? He holds the bike split record at 4:02 for the distance and has races several of these names before. Lance would be the exception.
Starkey is a great guy, honest, clean and fairly new to the success and publicity. He’ll, he is still looking for major sponsors. If yiu or your company want to help with that, let me know. I will get you a direct phone!
Well….let me remind the Tri community of Nina Kraft who only served a 1 year ban for EPO, Rebecca Keat was quietly banned a few years back- pushed well under the table, and Brigitte Mcmahon too. These athletes all compete and have won races and I do not see people petitioning them from starting. Also, what level of testing is in play. In cycling athletes are tested twice as much: on USADA site the cyclists at 542 in 2013. Testing for Traithlon was non-existent in 2008. Doping is cheating, but cheaters still play. Let the real athletes who have integrity and ethics play with whoever they want- and let them beat the cheaters!
This was deleted above: Cyclists tested 1283 vs triathletes 542 in 2013.
My on my concern is that Lance thrives on the competition and will try to win at all cost. Even if it means continuing to dope. If there is anyone in the sports industry who knows how to dope and get away with it, it’s definitely Lance. It will never be a fair race when Lance is in the field.