Who will win the race? Pro cyclist woman or ex-hockey player?

[Helene2013]

Can a professional hockey player win this race against a Canadian female pro road cyclist??

Bets are on! :p
http://lexalbrecht.blogspot.ca/2014/11/lex-albrecht-vs-georges-laraque.html

Laraque (who was a professional hockey player with the Montreal Canadiens) has been known to push 450w for over 20 minutes on a stationary bike to prove being on a vegetalian diet does not alter your strength in sports. Thoughts is that he will be very strong at the start and on the false flat but will slow down during the climbing part of the ride.

He's a heavy guy (was the "fighter" of the team). He is much more heavier than small framed Lex. Our prediction is that Lex will do this in around 5 minutes and him in 6m30s.

This is what the hill looks like. Camillien Houde Hill's ascent is 1.62 km long. Over this distance, you climb 72 heightmeters. The average percentage thus is 4.4 %. Pro racers are using this hill during International compets. Cyclists in the area test their fitness and use it to improve themselves.

Can't wait to read the results.
17448

[pll]

I saw that. Too bad there won't be a webcast! Maybe someone will record it and share it in youtube. It will come down to watts per kilo... The one issue I see is that it's a short climb, which plays in Laraque's favor (he could muscle up the hill before he blows up).

[Helene2013]

I just looked at weather forecast and it calls for cold (like 1c or around 32f for you gals) and snow and rain. I woud not be surprised to see it postponed.

If there is video coming out, I will share.

[Trek420]

I saw that. Too bad there won't be a webcast! Maybe someone will record it and share it in youtube. It will come down to watts per kilo... The one issue I see is that it's a short climb, which plays in Laraque's favor (he could muscle up the hill before he blows up).

Technique, knowing her bike, gears, pacing, racing, climbing technique.

My money's on her. :)

[Pax]

She'll take him, brute strength can only carry him so far.

[Helene2013]

Did not think of all your good points!

As for Laraque, I found out he likes to challenge many athletes. I think the last one was a in-line skater and he lost to her. And from what I read he has a Trek bike but does not use it that much although he loves cycling. And stats read that he's near 290 pounds - at 6'3'' (but seriously, he does not look heavy at all being in top shape). I guess his muscle mass must be high.

[Trek420]

The bike and his strength to weight ratio is not going to matter much if he picks the wrong gear and cross chains. I would say the longer the climb the better her odds. When your brain is telling to stop, just stop, then climbing is skill + mental + physical.

[Helene2013]

It's snowing in Montreal and the "race" is just an hour away. On her Facebook Lex says racing is under all weather conditions....so she is waiting for Georges (and all the fans) at the bottom of the hill. :p Game on!

I won't be attending and it is on internet but I'm sure someone will take footage of this. Will be interesting to see.

[Helene2013]

Lex won...more details to follow. :)

[Helene2013]

Well Georges Laraque ended up at the hospital but he is ok now. As he says: She literally killed me, I'm ok now, just had my ego shattered!

https://twitter.com/georgeslaraque

Still don't know what happened.

[Pax]

Silly boy. :D

[pll]

Here's the end of the challenge (before Laraque went to a hospital): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JALD7cS_JY

Yeah!

[Helene2013]

Thank you for posting the link. I saw it yesterday but was not at computer to link it here. It was taken by someone I know from French bike board. He said the race was a good spirit. Also, if George had been in a compact gear it may have helped him. Reason for hospital visit was just that he could not catch up his breath. He did not see a specialist and was quickly released. Lex challenged him for a revenge by going on the F1 race track we have and do something like 2km sprint. I think it is next week but have not seen confirmation just yet for the date. We'll see how he does on flat ground. But she's an expert in time trial. So fat chance for him to win. hihi

[Pax]

What does "a former Habs player" mean? I read he was a hockey player, but what is a "Hab"?

[Helene2013]

Habs is for the Montreal Canadiens hockey team. It's a nick name given to the team.

see here for more: http://proicehockey.about.com/od/history/f/canadiens_habs.htm

More on this bike challenge:
http://pedalmag.com/lexvslaraque-albrecht-wins-and-laraque-hospitalized-photos/

[Pax]

Ahhhh, thanks! I'd heard the work "Habs" before and just never got it.

[Helene2013]

Finally was able something decent. CBC news was there and here is the link
http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Canada/Montreal/ID/2604576326/

[Trek420]

Finally was able something decent. CBC news was there and here is the link
http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Canada/Montreal/ID/2604576326/

Much respect to him. Looked like he went all out and more important didn't tweet "but she had clipless pedals". And thus ends the debate "Are cyclists real athletes like football, basketball and hockey players?"