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Amazing Men's Pro Field Assembled in Maui

Sunday's World Championship could provide the most intriguing men's pro race in XTERRA history.

By all accounts there are at least a dozen favorites - guys that could nail it on raceday and walk away on top.  Most certainly, you start with Conrad "the Caveman" Stoltz, the defending champ and only pro to have four world titles. At least, that's where Lance Armstrong starts:

"I’m not a gambler, but I wouldn’t bet against Conrad Stoltz. He understands this game and he's won this race four times and this is his job. This is what he wants to do and this is his passion, so I’d put my money on him," said the 7-time Tour de France champ.

Of course, there is no shortage of fans putting their money on Armstrong, and perhaps deservedly so.  In an interview with XTERRA TV yesterday Armstrong noted that since placing 5th at XTERRA Nationals last month he's put a few injuries behind him, has a better idea of how XTERRA works, and has been able to train specific for this race for a month or so now.

"I didn’t have any expectations, really, in Utah. I didn’t know exactly what I was getting into. I certainly hadn’t trained for it. I had been too busy. And at the end of the day, I didn’t really enjoy it because I suffered so much. I thought this is terrible, why do I want to go through this?" said Armstrong.  "But I took a few days and thought about it, went home and started training again and said maybe I should at least focus on this. Do some interval work, at least adapt the training to what the race is like. I started getting into that. I didn’t travel for literally a month except for one trip.  I think my condition and form will be completely different from what it was in Utah, but then again, Conrad (Stoltz) can say that and Dan Hugo and Josiah Middaugh can say that … all these people understand that this is the world championship and they had a month to prepare and a month to raise their game. Nobody peaked in Ogden; everybody is peaking here. I’ll be happy going out there and giving my best and maybe that’s top 5, maybe that’s top 10, could be better, I don’t know. That’s why we have the race."

Nico Lebrun, the 2005 XTERRA World Champ, showed he was in brilliant condition by winning in Utah last month, and said he was confident for this race because his training schedule is right on and he should be in peak form on Sunday.  Still, Lebrun said his favorite would be Josiah Middaugh.

"Josiah is a climber like me and this course has a lot of climbing on the bike and the run so it will suit him well," explained Lebrun.

Middaugh, who has had a string of bad luck with mechanicals and such in the last few big races, has equal respect for Lebrun and echoes his thoughts on the course.

"This course is perfect for my skill sets with all the tough climbs, but with it being brand new who knows who else it will suit perfectly." said Middaugh.

A lot of guys think it will be the perfect introductory race for 2008 Olympic gold medalist Jan Frodeno - who has some big-time surf-swim experience in his arsenal.  Then there's Michi Weiss, who has been close and in the top 3 the last three years.  Who could count out Eneko Llanos, a three-time World Champ here in Maui.  Of course, everyone who raced in Europe this year will tell you Olivier Marceau is the guy to beat, and he's come so close so many times maybe it is.

Then there's Dan Hugo, who simply crushed the Nationals course and has had ample time in Hawaii to get his focus straight for Sunday.  And Tim DeBoom, don't let the 14th place finish in Utah fool you, he's a great swimmer and with some speed work will be in a better position to push the leaders.

All those guys, and Mike Vine, Richard Ussher, Chris Legh, Marcel Zamora, and Ivan Rana not even mentioned yet.  Incredible field, unknown course, beautiful venue, it all promises to culminate in a magical Sunday.