Floyd Landis taking on NBA star Deron Williams

Floyd Landis (Team OUCH) competes in Stage 5 of the AMGEN Tour of California from Visalia to Paso Robles on February 19, 2009 in San Luis Obispo County, California. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Professional cyclist Floyd Landis will take on professional basketball player Deron Williams of the Utah Jazz in a time trial and three-point shootout near Salt Lake City, Utah August 7.

The event is a precursor to the 2009 Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah, which Landis and seven OUCH Presented by Maxxis teammates will be contesting August 18-23.

The last time Landis was even on a basketball court, let alone practicing three-point shots, was half a lifetime ago.

“But,” Landis added, perhaps with tongue planted in cheek, “cyclists are usually really good basketball players, so I’m not concerned.”

Landis and Williams will challenge one another in their respective sports at Miller Motorsports Park this Friday, August 7 at 6:30 p.m. local time.

Landis and Williams will both don an OUCH Presented by Maxxis kit and take each other on in a time trial on the raceway. Williams will then challenge Landis to a three-point shoot out.

“I’m always game for a good challenge” said Williams, who was a member of the gold medal-winning Team USA at the Beijing Olympics last year. “I’m the consummate competitor, and going up against Floyd will be a lot of fun.”

Landis intends to show Williams no mercy on the bike. “No, I won’t be taking it easy on Deron,” he said. “I’m pretty sure he won’t show me any mercy either.  And if he does, he'll probably make more shots accidentally than I will.” For the record, in his 34-game playoff career, Williams has made over 40 percent of his three-point attempts.

When asked whether he thought it would be easier to do a good time trial in the midst of an important race like the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah, or bury a three-pointer with two seconds left in the game, down by one, and some guy in your face, Landis noted, “time trials are very intense, high-pressure situations. There’s nowhere to hide. I imagine it's very similar to taking a shot at the buzzer.”

Aside from taking part in the event to help promote the race, the contest will also serve a practical purpose for Landis. The time trial portion of the competition with Williams will take place on the same course that will be used for the Stage 3 individual time trial of the Tour of Utah.

“It’ll be really good to get a look at the TT course,” Landis said. “Last year the race came down to the TT, so you don’t want any surprises on race day. I’m really looking forward to checking it out.”

Event details

• When: Friday, August 7; 6:30 p.m. MST
• Where: Miller Motorsports Park, Tooele, Utah
• What: time trial and three-point shootout between OUCH star Floyd Landis and Utah Jazz point guard Deron Williams. 

The event is open to the public.

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