Friday, September 13, 2013

Cycling Update: Can A 41 Year Old United States Rider Win the Vuelta a Espana?

We'll find out tomorrow whether or not Chris Horner can pull off what would be one of the most stunning grand tour wins in history. It would be a huge result for US cycling after the doping revelations and suspension of so many US riders last year. 

Currently Horner has a 3 second lead and tomorrow will be a mountain top finish.  There are enough guys close together that with the kind of stage they are riding any number of riders could pull off the final victory.

Horner has had an interesting career.  He tried his hand in Europe early on and couldn't cut it so he returned to North America where he completely dominated the sport.  He would later return to Europe and do quite well.  In retrospect you have to wonder if he failed in Europe because he was not doping and then found success after returning once the playing field was leveled.  At 41 and being a US cyclist it will be hard for Horner to not face a lot of doping allegations, that simply where the sport is right now, but he is one guy I have never heard to have any connection to doping.  Sad that the sport has reached a place where with every victory comes doubt. 

Universal Sports has the coverage so tune in if you can tomorrow to see if he can pull off the win.

1Christopher Horner (USA) RadioShack Leopard77:56:05 
2Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Astana Pro Team0:00:03 
3Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Movistar Team0:01:06 
4Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver (Spa) Katusha0:01:57 
5Nicolas Roche (Irl) Team Saxo-Tinkoff0:03:49 
6Domenico Pozzovivo (Ita) AG2R La Mondiale0:06:00 
7Leopold Konig (Cze) Team NetApp-Endura0:06:38 
8Thibaut Pinot (Fra) FDJ0:07:02 
9Samuel Sanchez Gonzalez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi0:07:45 
10Daniel Moreno Fernandez (Spa) Katusha0:11:05 


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