Armstrong finishes 2nd in ironman, snubs winner?

WELLINGTON, New Zealand - New Zealander Bevan Docherty says he was snubbed by Lance Armstrong after winning the Panama half ironman on Sunday and knocking the seven-time Tour de France winner into second place in his first professional triathlon.

Docherty beat Armstrong by 31 seconds after overtaking the American on the running leg of event, which was raced in searing heat. An Olympic silver medalist, Dochery told New Zealand media that Armstrong brushed passed him at the finish line without offering congratulations, but later briefly shook his hand and acknowledged his victory.

Docherty said "I'm not sure what it was all about, I can only assume he was just disappointed to get beaten.

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"I did shake his hand a little bit later. He's on a completely different level and planet to us guys (triathletes)," Docherty said. "It's great to have him in the sport, he certainly adds something. It's an eye opener to see how he gets mobbed and the chaos around him."

Docherty said he was surprised Armstrong didn't dominate the race's 55-mile cycling leg.

"I thought Lance would absolutely cream us on the bike, but he was probably in a similar position to me where he wasn't too sure how to pace himself," he said. "He certainly looked like he was holding back and that was probably why he ran so well off the bike."

Armstrong led Docherty after the cycling, but the New Zealander made up ground on the 16½-mile running leg and passed Armstrong about 1½ miles from the finish.

"It's great that I could hold one up for the other triathletes and show that it's certainly not a sport that you can just walk into and dominate straight away," he told the New Zealand Herald. "It's quite an honor to see a seven-time Tour de France winner and someone you admire standing in second place below you on the podium. It's a highlight of my career."

Armstrong began his career as a triathlete before switching to cycling and winning seven successive Tours de France.

Federal authorities last week decided Armstrong would not be charged after a two-year probe into accusations he and his cycling teammates systematically used performance-enhancing drugs.

Feds close Lance Armstrong doping case; No charges

Last week, Armstrong said he was relieved by the end of a nearly two-year federal investigation and that he always remained confident he would not be charged.

Armstrong on probe end: "I opened a cold beer"

"It's not a pleasant experience," Armstrong told The Associated Press by phone last Thursday in his first interview since prosecutors in Los Angeles closed their investigation last Friday.

[LindsayJC]

this was one of the only Tri finishes I have seen when the winner went off and hid in the back of a crowd and did not make HIS/HER way towards the finish line to welcome/congratulate the runners up. No Docherty stood amongst his supporters and expected others to seek him out? Then he decides to take a cheap shot at Armstrong's bike leg? Now there is a class act. Time for Docherty to man up a bit and get over himself. With Armstrong in the sport purses will certainly grow and the sport will get far more press coverage than before. Docherty get a clue!

[excop1949]

I did the Hawaiian Ironman in 1985...it was a 2 1/2 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile run...when I finished all I wanted was a beer and a greasy hamburger.

[iheartmastodons]

Associated Press fail... Run is 13.1 miles, bike is 56, way to research. The photo caption managed to get it right.

[rainbowroosie]

Slow news day to print this crap.

[credibility2]

Armstrong is an egomaniac and rude. I also believe, as many others, that he was doping for the Tour de France.

[hangfire19]

Because after you have just completed back to back a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1-mile run; the first thing you want to do is (A) start shaking hands and congratulating others or (B) catch your breath? get a drink of water? towel off your sweaty body? sit down before you fall down? Get over yourself Doucherty; nobody likes a whiner.

[Mike_in_USA]

Armstrong has shown here that he is not a sportsman. A pouting, self-centered "it is about ME" attitude athlete, but no sportsman.