One day I was announcing a Florida crit and he lapped the field twice, solo. He was destined for big results. So I interview him afterwards and he tells everyone his big goal is to land in Europe and race the Tour. Not only that, he had no interest in crits and prefers races like Philly.
I believe he truly had dreams of bigger fish, but America is his sweet spot. Pay is good, life is good and managers love him.
BTW - I've known him personally since 1999 and knew all the boys that first took him on the road in a beat up bus, in search of contracts. His wins are impressive here in the states, but I have to agree, at 33, I think his big fish goals may have passed him by.
Horner tried and passed, but he's on another level.