American Joe Dombrowski to race Leadville 100

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PARIS (VN) — In two weeks time, Cannondale – Drapac’s Joe Dombrowski will step up to a chilly early-morning start line at 10,000 feet and take on some of the world’s best marathon mountain bikers. About six hours later, he’ll find out if he has what it takes to win the Leadville Trail 100.

“I think it suits me pretty well, and I’d like to go there and contest for the win,” the 25-year-old American said of the decision to jump into the high-profile mountain bike race. “But it’s a bit different from my day job.”

Dombrowski’s day job will send him to the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah and the Vuelta a Espana in August. His own curiosity led him to add Leadville between the two. Entering the 103-mile mountain bike race is a chance to try something different, he said, and go back to the discipline where he got his start. And he’ll race for a cause, raising money for World Bicycle Relief.

It’s also a way to take a momentary step, mentally and physically, out of the pro road scene.

“You can be on this razor edge all season and be super focused, but, honestly, I don’t know that the results are any different than if you have a bit of fun along the way,” he said. “And I think its good for having a long, healthy career to have breaks and mix it up.

“This is an instance of something that is, honestly, a good marketing opportunity for the team and Cannondale and myself. And it’ll be fun.”

The idea sprouted while Dombrowski was still at the Giro d’Italia, as he cast about for something to fill the gap between the Tour of Utah and the Vuelta.

“I think it was Matt [Beaudin, Cannondale communications director] and I were talking at the …

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