Armstrong clocked a course record of 33:14, besting second place finisher and current Texas state time-trial champion Erick Benz by nearly two minutes. Third place finisher Stefan Rothe described the course as, “punchy.” He added the course, “favored a rider who can change speeds and recovery quickly over the hills and winding turns.”
Lance Armstrong powered to victory at this weekend’s Tour de Gruene, winning both the individual and team time trials in convincing fashion.
Armstrong’s participation was a welcome surprise to co-promoters Will Rotzler and Tom Sickmann, who learned of the Tour de France winner’s plans just days before the event.
Sickmann attributed record participation levels for the tour to the “Lance factor,” adding that, “people don’t look at him like a rock star, or celebrity, they see someone who has transcended sport with his story. They see inspiration; they see hope.”
Saturday’s inaugural individual time trial was held under sunny skies and strikingly warm temperatures, which rose quickly as Armstrong set fire to the 16.6-mile out and back course, lined from end to end with enthusiastic spectators.
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clipped from www.velonews.com
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