R.E.S.P.E.C.T. to Chris Horner

[Taxus4a]

Best climbers in Pirynees are going to be Purito and Horner, better than Alberto and Nibali. Horner has chances for the podium, but difficult, he has lost a lot in the pavé.

 

[PosterBill]

Isnt purito doing the same thing? And its not really base miles its racing kilometers.

My hats off to him if it works but at his age I would fear that these miles will be to intense for him. If you look at last year's Vuelta he had really only ridden one minor week long stage race prior but was really fresh and I think that's what made him special there. It wouldn't surprise me to see him take a mountain stage win at this year's TDF, maybe even a couple, which would be quite a feather in his cap

 

[offbyone]

Interesting that horner is trying to ride himself into shape at the TDF of all places. To me this wouldn't seem an ideal format to get base miles when trying to take on the Vuelta, I almost hope he is willing to pull out of the TDF at some point. This isn't a place to get base miles with all the danger of crashes and really up and down hard miles. It's pretty amazing that he can get into form as quick as he can...but I've known riders that had that kind of ability or fast responders. But as a spectator I am glad he's at this race and looking forward to watching him in the mnts

This might not be all his choice. He picked up a big contract late and has been injured all year. The sponsor wants him on his bike and on camera. Par for the course.

But I totally agree that this is not ideal for him. In a perfect world he just focuses on Vuelta. I think it is a reach to ride a grand tour and then a month later try to win one.

 

[Liquigas]

Best climbers in Pirynees are going to be Purito and Horner, better than Alberto and Nibali. Horner has chances for the podium, but difficult, he has lost a lot in the pavé.

He's only 2 minutes off the guys who will battle for the podium. He can recover that easily.

 

[the sceptic]

Papy for the win tomorrow.

 

[webvan]

From another thread, Horner tells it like it is http://www.nbcsports.com/cycling/tour-de-france/rain-makes-things-tougher-tour - lots of good insight for the fans. Makes sense for him to remind everyone that this was the first day in the mountains and that everyone "climbs well" (relatively) but that will change with the repetition of climbing stages. How true, PDBF 2012 comes to mind of course with Taramae, Evans, even Menchov doing well and then going through the window on the next mountain stage a few days later.

 

[Alcanelo]

This guy is a joke

 

[Jancouver]

This guy is a joke

Welcome to the forums. We are all glad that you have recently joined so you can provide such a valuable insight and opinion.

 

[jens_attacks]

so the pyrenees, we have to wait for them. that or la vuelta

 

[cineteq]

From another thread, Horner tells it like it is http://www.nbcsports.com/cycling/tour-de-france/rain-makes-things-tougher-tour - lots of good insight for the fans. Makes sense for him to remind everyone that this was the first day in the mountains and that everyone "climbs well" (relatively) but that will change with the repetition of climbing stages. How true, PDBF 2012 comes to mind of course with Taramae, Evans, even Menchov doing well and then going through the window on the next mountain stage a few days later.

Great comments as usual from Chris. If it gets really hot watch out for Horner!

 

[Forunculo]

Horner is a great pundit in the making. Unlike many cyclists he knows about cycling. His last year Vuelta was cimented on knowledge.

 

[movingtarget]

Horner is a great pundit in the making. Unlike many cyclists he knows about cycling. His last year Vuelta was cimented on knowledge.

Yes either as a commentator or as a DS he would do a great job.

 

[webvan]

Anyone know what happened to Horner yesterday? Lost 13'39" and now sits in 22nd in GC :-(

 

[lenric]

Yeah, he simply hadn't the legs required to do anything more.

 

[cineteq]

Yeah, he simply hadn't the legs required to do anything more.

Now that Costa is out of top 10, I won't be surprised if Horner wins a stage in the Pyrenees, where it's hot and dry, the way Papy likes it.

 

[markene2]

Horner will ride support here and then smash the Vuelta field to pices!

 

[indianfanboy]

Horner to beat the **** out of Quintana and the Dawg

 

[maxmartin]

Horner will ride support here and then smash the Vuelta field to pices!

Horner beats Froom in the Vuelta!

 

[alin.constantin89]

Horner beats Froom in the Vuelta!

To difficult to do TDF then Vuelta.

 

[Oldman]

To difficult to do TDF then Vuelta.

Not if you're riding the Tour for training. I think he shut down once he knew Rui wasn't going to make it. Yesterday's stage shouldn't have been a problem for CH until the last 6 km. Wouldn't be surprised if his team also let him approach it that way; they had a guy in the break as well that was in Rui's neighborhood at the finish.

 

[maxmartin]

Not if you're riding the Tour for training. I think he shut down once he knew Rui wasn't going to make it. Yesterday's stage shouldn't have been a problem for CH until the last 6 km. Wouldn't be surprised if his team also let him approach it that way; they had a guy in the break as well that was in Rui's neighborhood at the finish.

Horner's problem is still holding position in the flat stages. I don't think anyone is doubting his climbing ability anymore.

 

[Ruudz0r]

Horner has a chest infection just like Richie.

 

[Oldman]

Horner's problem is still holding position in the flat stages. I don't think anyone is doubting his climbing ability anymore.

His "flat stage" obligations to shepard Costa to the front would account for that. Anytime things heat up he's in the neighborhood...unless Rui was too far back. He's a pretty accomplished position rider even when it's going ballistic. Too many American crits.

 

[Angliru]

Horner's problem is still holding position in the flat stages. I don't think anyone is doubting his climbing ability anymore.

...and where do you get that idea? I've never gotten that impression about Horner.

 

[offbyone]

To difficult to do TDF then Vuelta.

I agree. They should pull him after the first couple pyrennes days so they don't blow him.