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Hanging With Horner
Central Oregon’s Own World-Class Cyclist
Chris Horner is not just a local jock who likes to ride his bike. He’s a world-class cyclist who just happens to call Bend home. Though some may be familiar with Horner from his recent achievements riding with Lance Armstrong on Team RadioShack, Horner has actually been one of the world’s elite athletes for a while. In light of the upcoming charity ride that he’s hosting, the Cascade Gran Fondo, here’s a short glimpse into how Horner got to be the 2010 top-ranked American cyclist in the world.
After turning pro in 1995, Horner rode for the French Team Francaise de Jeux, competing with the best cyclists in Europe. Three seasons later, Horner returned to the U.S. to resume a record-setting domestic career, winning almost every important race in the U.S. for the next five years. In 2004, at age 33, he returned to Europe to test himself once again against the world’s best cyclists.
This time, Horner showed the best form of his career. In 2009, while dedicating himself to supporting his captain Lance Armstrong of Team RadioShack, Horner was the top American rider at the Tour de France, placing tenth overall. Horner also won the overall title at the Vuelta al Pais Vasco (Tour of the Basque Country), beating the world’s elite in one of the most prestigious races on the Pro Tour Calendar. He had several top 10 finishes in the Spring Classics races, such as Fleche Wallone, Liege-Bastogne-Liege and Amstel Gold. He also placed fourth at the Tour of California.
Already this year, Horner continues to demonstrate that he’s the top American rider. He took the overall victory at the Tour of California after a decisive solo attack and winning a mountain stage with the largest lead in race history. He placed second at Pais Vasco, as well as fourth in the Volta a Catalunya (Tour of Catalunya). He shows no sign of slowing down for his eighth season in Europe. For the first time in his career, Horner will ride for the podium in Paris, not as a domestique (working for a team leader) but for his own glory.
Even though Horner races aggressively with an acute tactical sense, he remains popular in the peloton because of his friendly, easy-going nature and infectious love of the sport. He truly is one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. While competing in the 2008 Cascade Cycling Classic, Horner gave a racer from another team a ride on the back of his bike up Cascade Lakes Highway to the finish line at Mt. Bachelor, after having already worked for Levi Leipheimer, his teammate, for more than 70 miles.
So that you don’t have to squeeze into Lycra to find out what it’s like to be a pro cyclist, we squeezed Horner for some information about his lifestyle. Central Oregon Magazine sat down with Horner to find out about his life, Central Oregon, cycling and how all three converge.
Q: What makes you tick? A: I like being competitive. I love to be on the bike—even training. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a race.
Q: Did you always want to be a cyclist? A: I started riding at 13. At 20, I realized that I could do it professionally. From that point on,
all I’ve wanted to do is to ride my bike. Q: Why do you like cycling? A: Compared to other sports, you see more. As a basketball player, you would spend all your time on a court. A swimmer spends most of his time looking at the bottom of a pool. I hopped on my bike on a trip to Vegas and saw a beautiful desert that you could never see from a car. I like the exploration and discovery that cycling provides. I can get on a trail with my mountain bike and waterfalls are accessible.
Q: You moved to Bend in 2000. Why Bend? A: I like the small town feel—it’s comfortable. I like that it’s at the foot of the mountains. I like the sun. I like the smell of juniper berries when I get off the plane.
Q: Why host a Gran Fondo? A: It’s a good way to connect with the community and give back. The race will give to a local charity, MBSEF [Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation], as well as Livestrong and World Bicycle Relief.
Q: Why in Bend? A: It’s my hometown and the roads take you through some spectacular country. It’s an opportunity to showcase Bend to some out-of-towners, too.
Q: What do you want participants to get out of the event? A: I hope everyone enjoys the ride. I want them to see Bend and enjoy Bend in they way that I experience it.
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Q: What highs have you experienced as a professional cyclist? A: Winning against the best riders in the world. And I don’t have to win necessarily. I love the challenge of racing against the best in the world.
Q: And lows? A: There are a lot of lows. One big low is not performing to your own expectations. Another is racing in Europe and being away from family, home and favorite foods. You can’t go down the street and get a great steak. You have to really search. There’s no predictability about the food you’re going to get on the road. When you walk into a restaurant in Europe you don’t know if the food is going to be good or bad.
Q: Any words of wisdom A: It’s a hard sport. You gotta love it.
Q: You’re turning 40 in October. You’re older than most pros in the sport. But you seem to be at the height of your career. How do you explain this? A: As a cyclist, 17 years is long career for sure. Does it feel long? No, it seems like yesterday that I turned professional. It helps to be older. I have a lot of experience and I’m better at reading my body.
Q: How long do you foresee yourself racing? A: Forever. I’ll always race. Professionally in Europe…I’ll do it as long as I can. It’s going to have to be an injury or a wheelchair to get me out of racing.
Q: Where do you like A: You can get a fantastic burger and beer at Deschutes Brewery. When I want something different, I go to Typhoon!
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