The Man Who Beat Armstrong

NVDL: Fascinating story.

clipped from www.nytimes.com GUNNISON, Colo. — This is the man who made Lance Armstrong cry “uncle.” “I try to make fitness part of everyday life,” Wiens said. Like his wife, the Olympic bronze medalist Susan DeMattei, Wiens was a professional mountain biker until he retired from the circuit four years ago. Now he races just a few times a year to stay in shape. “But I make it fit our family life,” he added. “That’s what’s most important to me.” The two men worked together for most of the race, taking turns in the lead, which put them 20 minutes ahead of the rest of the pack. In a scene they described afterward, Wiens moved aside with about 10 miles to go to let Armstrong take the lead as they headed onto an uphill trail. This time, however, Armstrong told Wiens: “No. Go. I’m done.”