Floyd Landis - behind the scenes

The Boulevard road race in San Diego county is the unofficial kick-off to southern California racing. It’s not uncommon to have visiting pros line up and compete in this tough road race. Weather conditions in the town of Boulevard during this time of year range from oppressive heat to snow to everything in between. This year’s edition rain is in the forecast which will make it a ‘hard man’s race’ – something Landis relishes. The category 1/2 pro field will complete four loops of the  Boulevard course for a total of 90 miles. According to the race flier, each loop consists of 3,100 feet of climbing for a total of over 12,400 feet when it is all said and done.

Just prior to the race Landis shared with me some photos which illustrates what really happens in the Landis RV prior to a race. Each image is more compelling than the next as he pulls aside the curtain and lets us take a look at his preparation as well as the people that make it happen. RACE UPDATE – click “Read More”

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RACE UPDATE

Still coughing and desperately trying to get warm, Floyd Landis took the time to tell me about his second place in the Boulevard road race. According to Landis, a break went away early and gained several minutes on the peloton. However, the as the miles started to add up on the undulating Boulevard course, the break fell apart with one lap remaining. Coming into the finale, Garmin U-23 rider Caleb Fairly surged away taking the win. Landis came across for second and according to reports from the race site Bahati Foundation rider Devan Dunn was third. I was only able to speak to Landis for a short amount of time before our phone connection was dropped. I’ll post more as it becomes available.

Browne Eye: How were the weather conditions today?
Floyd Landis: It was f’ing poring. At least it wasn’t snowing like last year. But even with all that rain the crowds were still in the double digits. I want to thank everyone who came out today.

Browne Eye: You came in for second place – what kind of money do you get for that?
Landis: Five-hundred dollars! Do you think the bank will put a hold on that amount of cash?

Browne Eye: I think maybe they’ll want to see some kind of personal identification, but I’m really not sure. What are you going to do with all that money?
Landis: I like money. That’s why I’m doing this [racing]. However, I do want to do something philanthropic so I’m donating a portion of it to “The Center for Kids That Can’t Climb Good”. If I don’t do something charitable with some of this money I’ll get pushed into a higher tax bracket. I’m going to take some meetings with financial advisers to see what I should do with the rest. I do need to refill my propane tank at the Chevron so in the immediate future that’s where some of the money will go. Maybe invest in the stock market?

Browne Eye: Tomorrow is the Red Trolley criterium. Will you be racing?
Landis: I think the rest of this week will be filled with meetings with my advisers on what my next step will be. Also I have got to get back to the golf course as the “Quiet Please” sign holder. That’s my real source of income.