Leadville Pro Bike: Alban Lakata’s Grand Canyon CF
Among the names on the potential winners list of the 2011 Leadville 100, Alban Lakata's will be the least familiar for most. Unless you're a true devotee of the mountain bike racing game, you may not know that this 32-year-old Austrian won the 2010 world marathon title and is his country's reigning cross-country national champ.
Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.
Among the names on the potential winners list of the 2011 Leadville 100, Alban Lakata’s will be the least familiar for most. Unless you’re a true devotee of the mountain bike racing game, you may not know that this 32-year-old Austrian won the 2010 world marathon title and is his country’s reigning cross-country national champ.
Indeed, the “Albanator” as he’s dubbed on his personal website, has a great chance to become the first non-American (man or woman) to win America’s most famous long-distance cross country race. This year, he’s already proven his mettle, going toe-to-toe with XC legend Christoph Sauser at Trans Germany. Sauser barely edged Lakata, winning the four-stage, 11-plus-hour race by just 1:14.
“He’s the real deal,” said Specialized’s Todd Wells, who’s also on this year’s Leadville five-star favorites list. “Anyone who is riding with Sauser like that is going good.”
Lakata (Topeak-Ergon) will attack Leadville’s famed out-and-back course on a 26-inch carbon hardtail. Here’s a look at his bike: