SNOWBASIN RESORT, Utah (AP) — Lance Armstrong brought out the crowd yet had to settle for fifth place Saturday as France’s Nico Lebrun finished strong and won the XTERRA USA Championship at Snowbasin Resort in a time of 2 hours, 24 minutes, 26 seconds.
South Africa’s Dan Hugo was second, 24 seconds back and American Josiah Middaugh third.
Four-time XTERRA world champ and defending national champ Conrad “Caveman” Stoltz was fourth.
Armstrong acknowledged that his first-ever XTERRA and first triathlon in 22 years was harder than expected. He finished in 2:29:25. The seven-time Tour de France champ said he had enough success may try these races again.
Three-time XTERRA world champ Melanie McQuaid of Canada won the women’s title.
Competitors completed a 1,500-meter swim, 17.7-mile off-road ride then finished with a 6.1-mile trail run.
