June 18, 2004- Only four days before the start of the 23rd Insight Race
Across America, in San Diego, California on June 20th, the defending Solo
champion, Allen Larsen, announced his withdrawal.

In a written statement, the Cle Elum, Washington reported: “In recent
weeks I have come to the realization that my commitment to RAAM has
superceded my devotion to Jesus Christ, as well as my family. It’s for
this reason that I can no longer continue to compete in RAAM at the level I
have as my heart belongs to them.”

In a telephone conversation, Larsen was adamant that physically he is in
better shape than ever before. He conceded that he may in the future have
some regrets about never finding out if he had the beating of the great
Wolfgang Fasching, of Austria, but the resolute note in Larsen’s voice
about his decision to quit seemed to match the drive he displayed in
winning the 2003 race.

Larsen’s voluntary withdrawal comes close on the heels of the withdrawal
of Slovenian star Valter Bonca, who withdrew from the Tour of Austria on
June 8th, citing a muscular injury, and a few days later announced he was
unfit to compete in RAAM. Only a couple of weeks earlier, Bonca had
finished second in the General Classification of Ireland’s Milk Ras after
wearing the leader’s jersey for much of the race.

This leaves the prospect of an epic two-way battle between Fasching,
riding for an unprecedented fourth win, and last year’s runner-up Jure
Robic, of Slovenia. When asked about Robic’s current form, his Slovenian
Army support team oozed the that unique confidence that only a completely
non-committal answer can provide.