Please be sure to read ALL our Leadville 100 Coverage:

http://reviews.mtbr.com/blog/category/leadville-100/

Last year’s Life Time Fitness Leadville Trail 100 (LT100) Mountain Bike Race was touted as the “David and Goliath” showdown, pitting seven-time Tour de France Champion, Lance Armstrong, against Dave Wiens, Gunnison local and five-time LT100 MTB Champion. David (Wiens) came out on top. This year’s 16th Annual LT100 Bike Race is gearing up to be just as exciting if not more so. Not only will the David and Goliath variable repeat itself in the form of Armstrong and Wiens at the starting line, but biking legend Tinker Juarez and a host of other top-notch cyclist will be joining them.

The Life Time Fitness Leadville Trail 100 MTB, held this year on August 15, begins and ends in Leadville, and runs through the heart of the Rocky Mountains. The race is run on a 50-mile out-and-back course, starting and finishing in downtown Leadville at 10,200 ft elevation. Major climbs include 3,000+ feet, with total elevation change nearly 14,000 feet. This year’s Life Time Fitness Leadville Trail 100 ultra marathon is presented by Vasque.

First run in 1994, the USA Cycling-sanctioned Leadville Trail 100 MTB has become the premiere ultra marathon event in mountain bike racing. Race participation is determined by lottery held February 1. Race entry is a cherished feat in itself. This year thousands of entrants vied for the 1,000+ coveted slots.

“Every one wants to ride with the man,” states Race President Ken Chlouber, referring to Armstrong’s participation in last year’s race as well as his commitment to be at this year’s starting line.

In 2008, Dave Wiens of Gunnison successfully defended his title by beating 7-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong by just under 2 minutes and setting a new course record of 6:45:45. Wiens has won the “Race Across the Sky” every year since 2003.

Last year was Armstrong’s first finish in a competitive bike race since he retired following his seventh straight triumph in the Tour de France. Armstrong will be back at the start line in August after his participation in the 2009 Tour de France in July.

“Lance may be the only racer I know of who used the Tour de France to train for the Leadville Trail 100,” jokes Chlouber.

But Armstrong isn’t the only Tour de France Champion to cross the finish line eating Wiens’ dust. In 2007 Wiens broke the seven-hour mark for the first time in front of second-place finisher and five-time Tour de France participant, Floyd Landis. Bloodied and bandaged, Landis crossed the finish line in 7 hours, 30 seconds, pushing Wiens to be the first rider to break the 7 hour mark at a time of 6:58.47. Ironically, it was the downhills that stunted Landis’ time, as it was in mountain biking that Landis’ career had its humble beginnings.

And so will the thousands of spectators who show up to see the mighty David take on cycling’s Goliaths. This year the battle begins August 15 at dawn (6:30 a.m.)

The Life Time Fitness Leadville Trail 100 MTB is the oldest of a growing number of 100-mile ultramarathon mountain bike races. It was first run in 1994 and has become the best known ultramarathon event in mountain bike racing. The 100-mile bike race is one of several races presented under the Leadville Trail 100 banner - an event series that was founded by President Ken Chlouber and Race Director Merilee Maupin. The LT 100 10k is an open running event the week before the main Trail 100 “Race Across the Sky” Run Race, comprising the first and last portions of the full Trail 100 run course. The Silver Rush 50s are a 50-mile mountain bike race and 50-mile running race through the mining districts east of Leadville. The Leadville Trail Marathon is a 26.2-mile marathon through the mining districts east of Leadville. In 2006 a half-marathon class was added.

For more information visit the website at www.leadvilletrail100.com or call (719) 486-3502.

# # # # #

source: Contact: Kathy Bedell, Public Relations and Communications Manager
LT100@leadvilletrail100.com