The Lance Factor

Marc Robards

Whatever you may think of Lance and his ambiguous doping history, congrats to him on his second 70.3 win at IM 70.3 Hawaii.

 

It's not easy winning two 70.3s at the ripe-old age of (almost) 41. He's been gradually improving his lackluster run, culminating in two solid races at Florida 70.3 and Hawaii 70.3. Both resulting in an overall win.

 

Next up for Lance at the full distance is the familiar climbs of IM France, then Kona. At this rate, a top 5 at Kona is not completely out of the question, according to most top pros (and me, if he can extrapolate his nutrition plan from 13.1 to 26.2).

 

Now I'm not saying Lance is going to be a factor against Crowie or Raelert or Macca (if he gets back in Ironman shape), but then Lance doesn't enter a race he doesn't want to win it right out. Only now he's got experience racing in the heat and humidity and winds of Hawaii. 

 

But then again racing a 70.3 is not racing an Ironman. Just ask Andy Potts.

 

Should be a good Ironman Hawaii this year

Al Truscott

 Let's talk after we see his marathon time in France. He'l need to be under 2:55 at that race to have a shot at the top 3 in HI. But no matter what, there's no question he's showing how truly great an endurance athlete he is. And, he's generating an amazing buzz. Every Saturday at my group tri ride, he's a part of the conversation.

William Jenks

I enjoy Greg Bennett as well. Grew up with Crowie at least to some degree. I don't think Bennett is going to compete seriously for Kona win, but he's coming along as he goes up from Oly to 70.3 and IM distance. He was second to Lance yesterday. Like Lance, he's a little crazy like a fox, and I'm guessing he will do better than it looks like he should...but still not seriously compete for the win.

Coach Rich

Can anyone who was at either Florida or Hawaii comment on the changed "vibe" of the race, with Lance present?

Media coverage, # of fans and spectators on the course, stuff like that?

Beth_S

I kinda love Lance for tackling triathlons -- in the same way I loved Joe Montana when he decided to play for the Kansas City Chiefs after the glory days of playing for San Francisco were over.

This is just fan to watch. Ironman is such a game of patience and pacing. Does he have that? You can't really use ornery to get you through the entire day.

Spokane_Al

I continue to admire the guy. After such a superstar, amazing career virtually anyone else would grow pudgy and soft and continue to pick up big bucks by selling Trek bikes and anything else sponsors are willing to lay in front of him. Instead, he heads out and attacks some of the most challenging events there are, and in a manner that if he fails, he would do so publically and spectacularly.

And he is just hard-nosed enough to succeed.

Coach Patrick

His bikes in his last two races, both 2:01s, show that he's more comfortable with racing from the front. And to put minutes on Lieto and Maik is seriously impressive, they are two of the strongest bikers our sport has to offer. We can talk about his running ability, but I think it will be really interesting so see how the racing dynamic of Hawaii changes....last year with so few pros out there with new standards, there really wasn't an uber-biker with no real hope of winning who was going to break the race open...but this year could be very different. How hard...and for how long...can Crowie bike outside his comfort zone before he can't run sub-2:50? or sub-2:55?

chris malone

Always admired the way he has competed. Putting it out there instead of playing it safe. Especially now with nothing to prove, risking embarrassment, the race being its own reward. A lot like Jordan. But, he doped like a madman. No ambiguity. He had to in order to even be in the race in grand tours- just the way it was back then. Even for Lance. Not judging (okay maybe a little) but you're either in or out and he was clearly in.

Al Truscott

For the past 25 years, he's been motivated by "I know I can beat those guys..." First it was Mark Allen et al; then the pro peloton at the World Champs and classics ... then, in 2009, it was Carlos Sastre. Now, it's all the weenie triathletes again.

And, for the past 15 years, he's got another motivation: Helping people live with cancer. No matter what I think about his ego and his PED history, he is deeply serious about that, that's where his money and his time goes.

Put together his innate physical talents, his swimming background, his scary competitive nature, and his desire to be an inspiration to millions with cancer ... it may well be an unbeatable combination. But I still want to see him run 26.2 after riding in the hills above Nice before I sign up for him being a podium threat in Hawaii. As we all know, it's a different world after mile 18.

Paul Hough

@ Rich - I wasn't at Florida, but my son who is not a triathlete specifically went to that race with the intention of scoring an autograph...which he did. He went to the back reaches of the bike and run to yell at him and get noticed, then went for the autograph after the finish. So Lance is definitely attracting non-triathlete fans. I can speak to St Croix however. Despite the near all-day rain, there where folks out watching all over the bike course and a large crowd in town. I know the governor of the Virgin Islands came over from St Thomas during Jump-up (the Friday night street festival) specifically to meet the pro's and presumably Lance. And the local papers were all Lance this and Lance that. Heck, all the photos my daughter took were of Lance.