Is Chris Horner a GC contender

[karlboss]

So in a tough race contended by the likes of Valverde Sanchez Rodriguez and Gesink...Chris Horner won. Could he step up and be a contender in a GT.

 

[Publicus]

Depends on a lot of factors. Time of year (the form of the other riders, etc.) Stage race (he will contend for week long races, don't see him competing in July). Whether he is riding for himself or someone else. Assuming all or most of those things work in his favor, the answer is yes--as demonstrated today.

 

[karlboss]

There are 3 GT's a year, RS isn't riding one of them...how many years does he have left? though he does seem to get better with each passing one.

 

[ingsve]

Perhaps he could have been if he had had a proper cycling career in europe.

 

[Berzin]

When Hincapie won that mountains stage in the Tour a few years ago, everyone went crazy over his GC chances.

When Cancellara recently won Flanders in such dominating style, suddenly he was put on the short list to win Liege and Lombardy.

Horner has a good run at a short stage race, and suddenly at age 38 he's GC material.

Don't think so.

 

[Notso Swift]

Top 10, may be even top 5 when others explode, but there is a big difference between that and a genuine GT "contender"
He did surprise me with his TT, though.

 

[blaxland]

So in a tough race contended by the likes of Valverde Sanchez Rodriguez and Gesink...Chris Horner won. Could he step up and be a contender in a GT.

Yes,when racing only for 5-7 days......otherwise no bl**dy way .3 weeks to long for Horner....unless he is carrying bottles for you no who???Lets remember Sanchez,Rodriguez and Gesink's goals dont come till later in the year....there just traininig at the moment..

 

[red_flanders]

I think if Horner could ride for himself and be supported on a team, he'd have a shot at a top 10 in the Tour. A shot.

No team will put the effort in to support a rider with a "shot" of getting a top 10.

So I think my scenario is a fantasy.

 

[karlboss]

Yes,when racing only for 5-7 days......otherwise no bl**dy way .3 weeks to long for Horner....unless he is carrying bottles for you no who???Lets remember Sanchez,Rodriguez and Gesink's goals dont come till later in the year....there just traininig at the moment..

So Horner structured his training to peak for this race?

 

[blaxland]

So Horner structured his training to peak for pais vassco?

That i dont know but,the others definantley didn't.I guess Horner fans have the right to dream too dont they??

 

[karlboss]

That i dont know but,the others definantley didn't.I guess Horner fans have the right to dream too dont they??

There is no way he peaked for this race, even if he is racing as domestique he'll be looking to peak for the Tour.

 

[Ferminal]

He's behind the big three at the shack.

Put him on par with a top form Yaroslav.

He's going to be a big engine for Lance in the tour.

 

[Publicus]

There is no way he peaked for this race, even if he is racing as domestique he'll be looking to peak for the Tour.

Isn't he doing the Ardennes Classics? I assume he wants to do well there, so he MAY be peaking about now. Also to clarify my first post (because I overlooked the GT part), my answer is an unequivocal no. His time is past. He's a domestique, but let's be honest when the big boys who are targeting the GT's are on form, he's not going to be in the picture long. I think smaller stage races are his for the picking--provided he's riding for himself with team support and AC isn't racing

 

[Dr. Maserati]

I would put him in as one of the favourites for the Tour...... (of California.)

It was a great win today - but we shouldn't get too carried away - I think when he matures in 3 or 4 years he could have a shot.

 

[flicker]

Chris is getting up in years but he is an animated and smart rider. I think his weaknesses are in his injuries. Obviously he knows how to train to win whichever races he chooses.

 

[cineteq]

I think when he matures in 3 or 4 years he could have a shot.

Let's keep the sarcasm on...he's just 38 years old

 

[Joey_J]

Pub - "He's a domestique"

Pub - "He's a domestique"

Sorry, but domestiques don't win PT stage races lilke Vascolandia, especially in front of Valv, Sanchez, Schleck and Heysink. There was alot of motivated Vascos y Espanyoles that race. And they're in form right now going into next week.

 

[Publicus]

Pub - "He's a domestique"

Sorry, but domestiques don't win PT stage races lilke Vascolandia, especially in front of Valv, Sanchez, Schleck and Heysink. There was alot of motivated Vascos y Espanyoles that race. And they're in form right now going into next week.

Sure they do. I saw a domestique win a stage at Algarve, Sarthe and now Tour of the Basque Country. All this year. All domestiques for Radio Shack.

 

[Polish]

Pub - "He's a domestique"

Sorry, but domestiques don't win PT stage races lilke Vascolandia, especially in front of Valv, Sanchez, Schleck and Heysink. There was alot of motivated Vascos y Espanyoles that race. And they're in form right now going into next week.

Chris is a Super-Domestique

Like Vino, Oscar, Levi, or Klodi.
George, Frank, or Gesink.

 

[Polish]

I would put him in as one of the favourites for the Tour...... (of California.)

It was a great win today - but we shouldn't get too carried away - I think when he matures in 3 or 4 years he could have a shot.

+1

I agree enthusiastically with the good Doctor - Horner needs to percolate a couple more
years before reaching his peak/perfection. Can't rush these things.

Planets, Moon, Sun all need to align....

Giro/Tour double 2012?

 

[craig1985]

Of course he is. And I will win the RVV next year. You heard it here first.

 

[karlboss]

Chris is a Super-Domestique

Like Vino, Oscar, Levi, or Klodi.
George, Frank, or Gesink.

Levi and Klodi are definitely GT contenders, all they need to do is state they are going for it. Yes Domestiques can win stages...Horner won the overall. 3 weeks is too long? remains to be seen, he has been getting stronger and last year his 2 GTs he crashed out after 1 week.

 

[jaylew]

Depends what you mean by gc contender. If you mean podium, probably not. Top 10? Maybe.

 

[Joey_J]

Horner

He’s a domestique because there are proven GT riders on his team. Even Zubeldia’s come in 5th in the Tour. It’s more important to have one guy win than 3 guys come in top 10. But if he was on Lotto this year, he’d be the GC leader and barring a crash, would be right up there.

 

[Ferminal]

He’s a domestique because there are proven GT riders on his team. Even Zubeldia’s come in 5th in the Tour. It’s more important to have one guy win than 3 guys come in top 10. But if he was on Lotto this year, he’d be the GC leader and barring a crash, would be right up there.

I'd say Jurgen would be, given the issues they had last year in the TdF.

Almost everyone is riding the Tour this year, so it will be hard for riders like Horner or JVdB to crack the top 10 ahead of Armstrong, Klöden, Leipheimer, Contador, Valverde, Sanchez, Menchov, Gesink, Nibali, Kreuziger, Evans, Wigans, Sastre, Vandevelde etc