I agree - it was not a fluke. Anybody have time to go grab Ryder's palmares and post them? Put up Periero's, too maybe. I think a comparison to Horner is an insult - so leave that one alone, afaic. Ryder has consistently over the years been in the top finishers. Not the top 5, but frequently the top 10 or 20. His Giro was remarkable for the absence of previously known top 5 riders. It was a blessed race for Ryder. He had the luck, and the consistency and strength to win against the field that was there. I do agree that it was likely a one-off win, and we won't see him repeat it.
It's just that he has been consistent enough that it can not properly be called a fluke. IMO. I do think he will finish top five again. I don't see that he was at a level at the Giro that was massively different than before or since - just the moon was in the right phase, the angels smiled on his cards, and all that, and the competition was a little less "in the right phase". It worked out well for him.
His performance in 2013 has been, imo, far MORE unusual, in that he has been far less lucky, and performed far worse in the major GTs this year than historically. At least as I recall - if somebody heeds my palmares request - maybe we can get validation - or not.
Cheers, all! I gotta get back to work!