Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

news

Budweiser gets better of Lance Armstrong as he abandons beer race

Banned cyclist gives up on four lap run after necking first beer

Banned cyclist Lance Armstrong was back racing last weekend – but the beer seems to have proved too much for him as he abandoned a running event that required him to quaff a can of Budweiser each lap just a quarter of the way through.

The 43-year-old was taking part in a four-lap beer race in his home town of Austin, Texas, which is due to host the first edition of the Flo Beet Mile World Championship, reports Runners World.

Some had anticipated that the Texan might be able to set an age group record at the event, which requires competitors to down a can of Budweiser at the end of each lap.

But it seems that Armstrong, who by his own admission rode and won seven editions of the Tour de France with his body pumped full of drugs, couldn’t do so with a can of lager inside him, let alone four, and said afterwards, “That was not what I expected.”

One fellow competitor, Patrick Hitchins, said: that Armstrong “drank Budweiser heavy from a 12 ounce can, no widemouth, following strict international beer mile standards.”

In a reference to one of the sponsors that dropped Armstrong after he was banned in October 2012, he added: “Perhaps his days with Michelob Ultra Lite put him at a disadvantage.

“He’s probably on his way to a gas station getting some Budweisers right now and practicing his chugging.

“He’s a competitor. I hope to see him out there again,” he added.

There's little doubt that Armstrong's competitive edge remains, but with the former US Postal rider excluded from sanctioned events, it seems clear he is now scraping round the fringes. Though possibly without added alcohol next time.

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

Add new comment

16 comments

Avatar
HarryCallahan | 9 years ago
0 likes

His lawyers denied suggestions that he wasn't on drugs.

Avatar
banzicyclist2 | 9 years ago
0 likes

Budeweiser not really beer is it?  7

Avatar
truffy | 9 years ago
0 likes

That makes even less sense now you've attempted to explain it.

Avatar
mrchrispy | 9 years ago
0 likes

ah.....but did he every actually test positive for alcohol ???

Avatar
The _Kaner replied to mrchrispy | 9 years ago
0 likes
mrchrispy wrote:

ah.....but did he every actually test positive for alcohol ???

possibly not...unlike JTL....  24

Avatar
handlebarcam | 9 years ago
0 likes

Finally, a chance for revenge:

//www1.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/Boris+Becker+Oktoberfest+Golf+Trophy+Party+lP8hVi_ZwXPl.jpg)

All those winters spent boozing and stuffing, instead of painstakingly finding the optimal doping level and ruining the careers of potential whistleblowers, could finally pay off. Go Der Kaiser!

Avatar
Ginsterdrz | 9 years ago
0 likes

"Banned cyclist Lance Armstrong"

I am told by the highest authorities that he is actually allowed to ride cycles.

Avatar
drfabulous0 replied to Ginsterdrz | 9 years ago
0 likes
Ginsterdrz wrote:

"Banned cyclist Lance Armstrong"

I am told by the highest authorities that he is actually allowed to ride cycles.

If that were the case then why would he stoop to the depths of running? I mean it's really slow and you can't even sit down while you do it. You can still drink beer while riding a bike.

Avatar
IngloriousLou | 9 years ago
0 likes

Lance can't face a budweiser?
So he's not a total lost cause then.

Avatar
truffy | 9 years ago
0 likes

He'd have to be scraping around the fringes to be drinking Budweiser.

Avatar
mikroos | 9 years ago
0 likes

Who is Lance Armstrong?

Avatar
manmachine | 9 years ago
0 likes

MacMichael is such a douche, another cry baby with Vagitis...

Avatar
Simon_MacMichael replied to manmachine | 9 years ago
0 likes
manmachine wrote:

MacMichael is such a douche, another cry baby with Vagitis...

This is the first time I've been called a douche - flatterer - and I suspect you meant 'vaginitis'; however, since you spelt my name correctly and made the second 'M' a capital (as it should be) I shan't take offence x

Avatar
manmachine replied to Simon_MacMichael | 9 years ago
0 likes

Nay, Vagitis. As in you're a Vag. Short for Vagina.  3

Avatar
kitkat | 9 years ago
0 likes

And if you're wondering what this story is all about then know these 2 things

1. It's about running (on a track)
2. This video has thrown beer running into the limelight: http://www.runnersworld.com/general-interest/44-year-old-mother-of-six-s...

Avatar
TeamExtreme replied to kitkat | 9 years ago
0 likes
kitkat wrote:

2. This video has thrown beer running into the limelight

How dare you! The beer mile has always been the pinnacle on the track.

Latest Comments