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Cross Vegas 2008 |
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Written by Wally Wallace
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Thursday, 25 September 2008 |
Race: Cross Vegas
Date: September 24, 2008
Location: Las Vegas, NV
 | | Tim Johnson US Champion |
With all the top domestic cyclocross racers assembled under the lights, Cross Vegas was setup to be the highlight of the Interbike week. Throw in mountain bike legend Thomas Frischknecht, competing in his last professional race, as well as current world mountain bike champion Christoph Sauser and Cross Vegas turns into a potentially epic race. Now add a 7-time Tour de France winner, Lance Armstrong, and you have a once in a lifetime experience and a great opportunity for Amercian Cyclocross.
 | | Lance Armstrong Cyclocross |
I should begin with a very special thanks to Lazer Helmets who provided Bikeman a ride to the race with pizza and some outstanding Belgium beer. Without the kind Lazer folks we might still be waiting for a shuttle back from the venue.
We arrived at the venue as the elite women where being staged. After watching the start we quickly made our way to the courses only run-up and claimed a good spot ringside for the upcoming festivities. It should be noted that a beer tent was within site as well.
 | | Jeff Kabush on the attack |
The women's race was fast and the crowd was building. Before the start of the elite men's the crowd numbered three or four deep in sections. While many fans came to the race to watch some of the best cyclocross riders in North America, it was obvious that even more came to see Lance. As LA came around on his first warmup lap the crowed went ballistic. I don't think that Sven Nys, the best cross racer on the planet, would have drawn half the attention. Lance is still a very strong rider and other than a bit of trouble with one mount looked pretty clean in the transitions.
 | | Thomas Frischknecht |
The elite men's race started and finished fast with a large group riding together at the front for most of the race. While it might have been nice to see Lance in the first group, as a spectator it was cool to watch the front group come through and then have another surge of excitement as the second group, with Lance at the front, rolled on by. The front of the race contained all the main contenders, including Swiss riders Thomas Frischknecht and Christoph Sauser. Frishi made a late race attack that was quickly reeled in. Great to see Frishi mixing it up with the front group in his last race on US soil.
 | | Adam Craig prepairs to hop the barriers |
In the end Kona rider Ryan Trebon came across the line first followed by Tim Johnson with fellow Mainer, Adam Craig, riding into third position at the finish. Rumor has it that Cross Vegas will be scheduled for broadcast on the Versus (VS) cable channel October 25th. Would this happen without the appearance of Lance....? Cross Vegas was the highlight of Interbike week and a great opportunity to introduce cyclocross to a whole new group of riders.
Below are some other photos of Lance Armstrong from the race.
 
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; "Tim Johnson US Champion")
; "Lance Armstrong Cyclocross")
; "Jeff Kabush on the attack")
; "Thomas Frischknecht")
; "Adam Craig prepairs to hop the barriers")
; "Image")
; "Image")
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