Road Bike Racing - Chris Horners mouth?

The other day when lance took the lead, Chris Horner made a comment that went something to the effect... "We will see what happens when we start climbing, I didn't come here to take third place".
Now I may not have quoted him exactly word for word, but that was the general idea of what he said. Now that he is a tick over a minute behind, has anyone heard Chris spouting off since? Heh,heh,heh.
More importantly is the race all but over? Can Voit catch/get away from Lance with enough time to win?

That statement could be taken several ways, depending on how it was said. One way, it's simply a statement that the race will probably be decided on the climbs, and Horner is going to give his all. Another way, he's throwing down the gauntlet. The press has said he makes brash claims, but the press has been known to play things up, so who can say. Still, wouldn't it be ironic if he finished in third place?

Horner wouldn't be a pro and the leader of his team if he didn't try to go out and win this race. What's he supposed to say -- "I suck and I'll never beat Lance. So why don't we stop this race right now and give Lance the win." Jeez! Considering that this is only the second year for the Webcor Pro team, I'd say they're doing rather well.

Still, wouldn't it be ironic if he finished in third place?

It looks like it will turn out that way :lol:

Horner wouldn't be a pro and the leader of his team if he didn't try to go out and win this race. What's he supposed to say -- "I suck and I'll never beat Lance. So why don't we stop this race right now and give Lance the win." Jeez! Considering that this is only the second year for the Webcor Pro team, I'd say they're doing rather well.

I couldn't agree more! But! (OooOooOh there is always that but.) I do not think it was very smart to spout off like that when Lance was certain to hear about it. I seem to remember some Spanish riders talking a bit to much in the Tour a couple of years ago and it kinda lit a candle under Lance. While I would never expect him to say, "I suck and I'll never beat Lance. So why don't we stop this race right now and give Lance the win." I would never be so bold as to say, in effect, "I'm gonna kick some Texas Butt in the Mountains", either. :D

Why is it every time someone DARES to challenge lance they're trash talking or have a big mouth? I'm sure lance wouldn't be offended. I agree, what's he supposed to say: Lance is here, I may as well give up. They said the same about Gilberto simoni,who apparently is actually a very low key,modest guy. What's he supposed to say? "Oh well, I may as well lie down and die in the Alps." They're competing, for gods sake!

Um...everyone I know who's met him has called him a pompous *******

Well, Horner did beat Armstrong at the SFGP last year, as I recall. Besides, Chris said "We will see what happens when we start climbing..." Doesn't sound to me like he said "I'm gonna kick some Texas Butt in the Mountains". Sounds like he was saying "Who knows what kind of form Lance is in, maybe it'll be my day."

BTW, I am really impressed with Webcor's Justin England. He's 25 yrs old and went from Cat 5 to Pro in one year (2003), so this is only his first year as a pro. Came in 9th in today's stage and is 20th overall.

Um...everyone I know who's met him has called him a pompous *******

RacerX or Horner? :D

Um...everyone I know who's met him has called him a pompous *******Just after joining Webcor, Chris came out on one of our club Sunday training rides in January. It was a cold, wet day in the mountains so I didn't go on the ride, but everyone who went said that he was very nice and took time to talk to them on the ride. I also heard that he has really done a good job communicating with the team and giving them good instructions during the race and has helped the team's tactics during the race.

There are a lot of guys who once they strap on the helmet, clip in, and start racing get very intense and do, indeed, start acting like jerks. Who knows, Chris may be one of them. I'm sure I'll never get first-hand knowledge of such behavior. :D

Why is it every time someone DARES to challenge lance they're trash talking or have a big mouth? I'm sure lance wouldn't be offended. I agree, what's he supposed to say: Lance is here, I may as well give up. They said the same about Gilberto simoni,who apparently is actually a very low key,modest guy. What's he supposed to say? "Oh well, I may as well lie down and die in the Alps." They're competing, for gods sake!

Simoni has said many cool things, like suggesting Armstrong to ride the Giro.
But he has said stupid things... he insulted the Tour de France by making the senseless statement that 'Armstrong has never faced any real climbers'.

Horner wouldn't be a pro and the leader of his team if he didn't try to go out and win this race. What's he supposed to say -- "I suck and I'll never beat Lance. So why don't we stop this race right now and give Lance the win." Jeez! Considering that this is only the second year for the Webcor Pro team, I'd say they're doing rather well.

Lance? Where the h*ll is the Hincapie defamation league, they usually seem to chime in given any plausible opportunity. I mean, isn't he like 7 or 8 minutes down? ;)

The Webcor team? As far as the Webcor *team*, aren't they kind of like Domina Vacanze? There's the leader, and then a bunch of other guys you never heard of, and really don't seem to do much. I sort-of get the impression that, at least when racing the domestic teams, Horner doesn't really need much help. Can you think of any races where Webcor was at the front controlling the pace, or sent a rider up the road in a suicide break?

Going back to my original post, does anybody know how Horner's statement was made? Was it really like "I'm gonna kick Lance's @ss when the road turns up." or was it "we'll see what happens when we do some climbs" as if we'll all find out when we start some climbing, which is the reality, no?

The Webcor team? As far as the Webcor *team*, aren't they kind of like Domina Vacanze?

Domina has Giovanni Lombardi, Michele Scarponi, Filippo Simeoni...
I'd say that Webcor is quite lower than Domina.
I see that you are trying to say though.

Roadbuzz,

At Redlands, I don't remember which stage (Stage 1?), there was a big train of Webcor guys leading Horner up to the final climb. The guys dropped off the front in, a la USPS, with Justin England being the last guy to drop off in front of Horner.

As far as pro victories, Charles Dionne won the SFGP in 2002 and Ted Huang won the Univest Grand Prix in 2003. So far this year it's been all Horner.

What I find rather pathetic is that people start bad-mouthing Horner while at the same time bemoaning the lack of coverage that bicycle racing gets here in the States. We should all be happy that there are a bunch of US-based racers that would love to challenge Lance. Strong competition and exciting races are what will draw more people to the racing scene.

Going back to my original post, does anybody know how Horner's statement was made? Was it really like "I'm gonna kick Lance's @ss when the road turns up." or was it "we'll see what happens when we do some climbs" as if we'll all find out when we start some climbing, which is the reality, no?


1. I think Horner is a terrific rider.
2. I've always kinda liked him and his spunk. I think you need that to be a great rider.
3. I still think Horner should have kept his mouth shut and let his ridin' do the talking.
4. Nothing I've seen here changes any of my opinions. :)

On cyclingnews, if you go to their TdG press conferance coverage, Chris is asked what he thinks of Lance's chances of winning. I believe said Chris said something to the effect of "No problem, I'll hold him down." But after he was crushed in the TT by Lance, he was singing a different song. From Velonews:


"I can't do Lance's time, that's...that's a good time. But I'm content. I'm satisfied with what I've done, and I'm still in contention to win this thing, too, but it takes Lance not being 100 percent for me to win this, so I'm hoping and crossing the fingers a little bit."

He has his moments, but it makes him no less the excellent rider that he is.

anyone remember alexi greywald??? now he was the john macenroe of cycling, a mouth and cry baby to boot, chris isnt as bad as greywald is he?

anyone remember alexi greywald??? now he was the john macenroe of cycling, a mouth and cry baby to boot, chris isnt as bad as greywald is he?
I only ask because I am not familuar with him and hate cry babies

As for Simoni, it's all just part of psyching out your rivals. I doubt simoni really believes that about real climbers, since there are plenty of them out there. And it's not like Simoni is some loser, he's won the giro twice! Of course, he did have a terrible time on the Alpe this year, but let's face it, he probably was fried from the giro.

anyone remember alexi greywald??? now he was the john macenroe of cycling, a mouth and cry baby to boot, chris isnt as bad as greywald is he?

Ya, I remember Alexi Grewal. I stood on the side of the road and watched him smoke Steve Bauer, a fairly fast finisher, in a head to head sprint for the Olympic Gold Medal in 1984 in Mission Viejo, CA.

I also rode to Del Mar with Alexi and his brother Rishi after the LaJolla Grand Prix in San Diego one year. Very nice guy. I didn't know him well though, so I wouldn't go on a national forum and suggest things about him that I have no idea are true or not.

Very stylish rider with lots of talent.

Domina has Giovanni Lombardi
Not taking anything away from DV or Webcor for that matter. Maybe it's just that they are very much in the shadow of their respective stars.

Different topic... I gotta think it must kinda suck to be Lombardi. I mean, how fast would you have to be to be Cipo's lead-out man? Probably faster than most other sprinters.

Ya, I remember Alexi Grewal. I stood on the side of the road and watched him smoke Steve Bauer, a fairly fast finisher, in a head to head sprint for the Olympic Gold Medal in 1984 in Mission Viejo, CA.

I also rode to Del Mar with Alexi and his brother Rishi after the LaJolla Grand Prix in San Diego one year. Very nice guy. I didn't know him well though, so I wouldn't go on a national forum and suggest things about him that I have no idea are true or not.

Very stylish rider with lots of talent.
I liked his brother Rishi, but Alexi in my opion was a whiner.... I remember a segmant on tv when they showed john macenroe whinning and Alexi whinning along with a few others.. That was so long ago ...

Different topic... I gotta think it must kinda suck to be Lombardi. I mean, how fast would you have to be to be Cipo's lead-out man? Probably faster than most other sprinters.

I recall atleast a couple of sprints that I think Lombardi could have had a great shot at taking, had he not been the lead-out man. He always did an excellent job.

HMM, perhaps Horner might make a good bid to replace Lance once he retires and lead postal in the tour de france. Then we can surely see what he is made of.

Cycling is a gentleman's sport, and such comments as this and, for another example, Simoni's hot-shot talk last year are out of place. Boxing is a better sport for this type of talk. I don't think you'll hear this kind of stuff from most of these guys - even Lance says he thinks Ulrich can beat him when asked about his own prospects. It shows class to be humble, regardless of performance on the road.

Roadbuzz....when you make comments like "a bunch of guys that don't do much" makes me think you don't really ride. I think that sometimes people forget this is a team sport...these other guys feed, protect, give bikes/wheels, lead out, train with, pace back after problems, and on and on. They ride til they're blown then finish within time allowance to go out and blow up again the next day just for the team and love of the sport...for most it's not the $$$$, especially in USA. Then some guy like you says they don't do much...sheeeesh. Ask Horner or Lance what they think of their team not you!

anyone remember alexi greywald??? now he was the john macenroe of cycling, a mouth and cry baby to boot, chris isnt as bad as greywald is he?

I'll never forget the shot of him spitting at the motorcycle camera in the 84 Olympics.

Forget the Lance comment. How about trashing his sponsor because he only got his TT bike on the Monday before the satge.

Ride third in a TT behind the probably best TTist in the world and another total badass. Beat another awesome TT rider and then badmouth your sponsor in the cycling media.

Horner is a good rider but he is a jackass.

I'll never forget the shot of him spitting at the motorcycle camera in the 84 Olympics.

I'll never forget seeing with my own eyes Grewal collapsing into Eddy B's arms after his victory.

I guess some of us believe what we read in the media and some of us actually live it. The losers are always going to focus on the negative, and if they can't find any, create it to justify their pathetic lives. By the way, I never saw or heard of him spitting at a camera bike. I would like to see that though. Could you post the pic? Thx.

Someone who wants to find out a little about Grewal can read the monthly columns he wrote in Cycle Sport magazine.

I'll never forget the shot of him spitting at the motorcycle camera in the 84 Olympics.
great sportsmanship I think I recall that...

Roadbuzz....when you make comments like "a bunch of guys that don't do much"
Arghh.

What I said was

There's the leader, and then a bunch of other guys you never heard of, and really don't seem to do much.

*seem* is important because it truly is a matter of perception. Maybe your sources play up the accomplishments of the guys that burn themselves up keeping the tempo high, or crank up the last couple of kilometers to 35 mph, but most everything I read just kind of mentions they are there in support of <whoever>. In that light, they don't *seem* like they do much. That's all I meant.

The comment came across as a cheap shot at two fine teams. That was not my intent.

...most everything I read just kind of mentions they are there in support of <whoever>. In that light, they don't *seem* like they do much.It's all a media conspiracy!

in reference to justin england, THAT IS SO FRICKEN CRAZY!!!! quite an inspiration as well to me, since im fairly new to the sport. i know he was a good distance runner b4 but to make the transition from sport to sport that quickly is remarkable.

anyone remember alexi greywald???

Do you think you can recall how to spell his name now? It may make you sound like you have some credibility. :rolleyes:

Do you think you can recall how to spell his name now? It may make you sound like you have some credibility. :rolleyes:
So what I didnt spell his name correctly, I probably didnt spell john macenroe correctly either, but it seems people knew exactly who I was talking about just the way I spelled it. Whats your problem this isnt spelling 101, this is a forum and what does my spelling have to do with credibilty? I tell you some people in here are so freakin childish, My 11 year old son is more mature than you don d. think about that

So what I didnt spell his name correctly, I probably didnt spell john macenroe correctly either, but it seems people knew exactly who I was talking about just the way I spelled it. Whats your problem this isnt spelling 101, this is a forum and what does my spelling have to do with credibilty? I tell you some people in here are so freakin childish, My 11 year old son is more mature than you don d. think about that

I've always thought it immature to propagate rumors you can't substantiate, make groundless accusations, and disseminate hearsay. Are you doing that? Yes. So I guess your 11 yr. old son is more mature than at least one of us. :p And spelling people's names correctly is generally a matter of respect, barebackrider, especially when you're pretending you know something about them. Do you think an Olympic Gold Medal winner for your country might deserve some respect and perhaps a little deference?

Why don't you go ahead and show us your class and maturity by researching sources, quotes, facts to try to give some substance to your statements. Better yet, have your 11 yr. old son do it since you decided to drag him into this(very classy by the way). I mean, you're being called out here, and all you can do is name call. Sounds like your position is in the wading pool, pretty shallow. But you post objective proof, and you'll be a star. Otherwise, you're starting to sound like a whiner. :eek:

I guess someone got far too offended over the fact that Grewal spat at a motorcycle cameraman.

I guess someone got far too offended over the fact that Grewal spat at a motorcycle cameraman.

My sentiments also. Anyone who follows racing knows that vehicles on the course are a constant irritant to the riders. Scott Sunderland's career was almost ended when he was run over by a DS car. Jesper Skippy was almost run over by a DS car. These are just highly publicized cases. Camera bikes crash and hinder riders in Paris Roubaix all the time. Watch some racing and see how these camera bikes jockey throught the peloton and then tell me you know for sure how you might react to them when you are 4 hours into a 6 hour race and completely hammered.

To take an instant one knows nothing about the reasons or motivations involved and use it as a focal point to judge someone and publicly denegrate them is pretty shallow and in this case, shows a general lack of understanding about what happens on a race course.

It also shows a lack of respect for one of our Olympic Champions.

I've always thought it immature to propagate rumors you can't substantiate, make groundless accusations, and disseminate hearsay. Are you doing that? Yes. So I guess your 11 yr. old son is more mature than at least one of us. :p And spelling people's names correctly is generally a matter of respect, barebackrider, especially when you're pretending you know something about them. Do you think an Olympic Gold Medal winner for your country might deserve some respect and perhaps a little deference?

Why don't you go ahead and show us your class and maturity by researching sources, quotes, facts to try to give some substance to your statements. Better yet, have your 11 yr. old son do it since you decided to drag him into this(very classy by the way). I mean, you're being called out here, and all you can do is name call. Sounds like your position is in the wading pool, pretty shallow. But you post objective proof, and you'll be a star. Otherwise, you're starting to sound like a whiner. :eek:
LOL yea my 11 year old son is definately more mature than you, no doubt about it... I aint name colling seems you are the one doing all the name calling, and beleive me I tried looking up info on Alexi, and guess how many pages or links I found on him??? ONE, one page, one link... (Andy Hamsten 7,350) (Pedro Delgado 482,000) (Lance Armstrong 819,00) I dont disrespect the fact he won a gold, I disrespect the fact he was very unsportsman in his pro career with team Crest, have you ever seen Andy Hampsten throw a fit in a road race, what about Pedro Delgado, Lance Armstrong and believe me don, I will definately show the proof once I find it. (I will have to dig, but i believe I still have some old vids and cycling magazines) By The way get your facts straight I did not once start a rumor, I simply stated that Alexi was a cry baby like John Macenroe, we all have opinions, unfortunately you believe all opinions must be kept quiet or be the same as yours. Did you once hear me claim to know everything about cycling or alexi? Hell I didnt even spell his name right, yet others seemed to know exactly who I was talking about and could care less if I spelled his name correct or not, seems to me you are the shallow one here. I have nothing to prove to you, and thank GOD this is America so I can freely voice my opinion, good or bad on a cyclist or another person whichever the case may be, seems to me you knew alexi rather well, you keep whinning like he does over nothing issues, grow up, learn to accept what others may think or feel about someone else, if you dont like what I post its pretty simple to look the other way, if you dont like me, its pretty simple when you see my name not to reply what I have said, I wont lose any sleep over it.
About the wading pool, I didnt see anywhere that this thread or this forum was for cat 2 and better riders, so if you dont mind I will continue voicing my opinion, if you do mind I suggest you ignore what I have to say and mind your own business if its not directed to you, or you find a moderater to explain to me I am breaking rules, have a good day don d

I guess someone got far too offended over the fact that Grewal spat at a motorcycle cameraman.
I guess so and the fact I didnt spell his name correctly..... I keep re reading my post dont see anywhere I started name calling, said he was childish but thats not name calling... childish is the way someone acts or responds to a situation. Oh well I know what I have seen in the way MR GREYWAL acted as I am sure you also did. some people refuse to see the truth and as I stated to Mr Don D, we all are entitled to our own opinions.
Thanks for the comment brent_dube :D

Of course you're entitled to your opinion, Binky. What bugs me, though, is your willful ignorance. That, and your fear of paragraph formatting.

Oh, and - Surprise! You spelled Alexi Grewal's name wrong when you Googled him.

Of course you're entitled to your opinion, Binky. What bugs me, though, is your willful ignorance. That, and your fear of paragraph formatting.

Oh, and - Surprise! You spelled Alexi Grewal's name wrong when you Googled him.
Thank You for bringing the spelling to my attention, I thought Don D gave me the correct spelling after all he did state that an olympic gold medalist deserves to have his name spelled correctly.
With your correct spelling I am sure I can find some information on the sportsmanship that was before posted...
Thank You for the correction....

...have you ever seen Andy Hampsten throw a fit in a road race...

In 1992 Andy finished 4th in the TDF, no mean accomplishment. He won Stage 14, from Sestrieres to L'Alpe D' Huez in a solo break that is still considered one of the great rides in tour history, at least to me. On the climb, Andy had to do what every tour rider has to do, that is ride through pressing crowds of fans, some drunk, some inflamed with nationalistic fervor, some just excited. Early into his solo break a small boy, no older than your son, stepped out of the crowd and tried to touch Andy on the butt just because he was a kid who wanted to touch one of his idols. Andy punched him. In the face. It's on video for the world to see. You can buy it from WCP. During this same climb, another fan simply held out a water bottle and sprayed Andy on the back to try to cool him off. Andy violently knocked the bottle out of the fans hand.

Contrast this with Claudi Chiapucci's epic ride into Sestrieres where throngs of fans put their hands on his back, sprayed him, etc... Chiapucci just did what all riders are supposed to do. He rode on ignoring them, not striking back.

I think the point here is that in the heat of the moment, under stress and duress, different people are going to react differently. Should we judge them by one act that we consider to be "unsportsmanlike"? Well in truth I could fill the rosters of numerous teams with riders who have done what the fans or media consider to be unsportsmanlike acts. I just chose one rider you happened to mention. Are you going to start calling Hampsten unsportsmanlike in order to be fair and consistent in the application of your standards? Are you going to start running him down on bikeforums? If you do, could you at least spell his name right? :p

Grewal overcame seemingly insurmountable odds to even compete in the '84 Olympics. His victory was both improbable and incredible. But you're focused on an act of expectoration.

Remember, with the measure that you are measuring out, you will be measured.

Now I'll let you get back to color coordinating your handlebar end plugs with your waterbottle cages.

In 1992 Andy finished 4th in the TDF, no mean accomplishment. He won Stage 14, from Sestrieres to L'Alpe D' Huez in a solo break that is still considered one of the great rides in tour history, at least to me. On the climb, Andy had to do what every tour rider has to do, that is ride through pressing crowds of fans, some drunk, some inflamed with nationalistic fervor, some just excited. Early into his solo break a small boy, no older than your son, stepped out of the crowd and tried to touch Andy on the butt just because he was a kid who wanted to touch one of his idols. Andy punched him. In the face. It's on video for the world to see. You can buy it from WCP. During this same climb, another fan simply held out a water bottle and sprayed Andy on the back to try to cool him off. Andy violently knocked the bottle out of the fans hand.

Contrast this with Claudi Chiapucci's epic ride into Sestrieres where throngs of fans put their hands on his back, sprayed him, etc... Chiapucci just did what all riders are supposed to do. He rode on ignoring them, not striking back.

I think the point here is that in the heat of the moment, under stress and duress, different people are going to react differently. Should we judge them by one act that we consider to be "unsportsmanlike"? Well in truth I could fill the rosters of numerous teams with riders who have done what the fans or media consider to be unsportsmanlike acts. I just chose one rider you happened to mention. Are you going to start calling Hampsten unsportsmanlike in order to be fair and consistent in the application of your standards? Are you going to start running him down on bikeforums? If you do, could you at least spell his name right? :p

Grewal overcame seemingly insurmountable odds to even compete in the '84 Olympics. His victory was both improbable and incredible. But you're focused on an act of expectoration.

Remember, with the measure that you are measuring out, you will be measured.

Now I'll let you get back to coordinating your handlebar end plugs with your waterbottle cages.

Thank You for bringing Mr Hampstens poor sportsmanship to my attention. (I must have missed that stage or may have not been watching at the time this occured) I don't dispute you on that issue, he was definately in the wrong for his actions, in fact after reading your quote I have lost some respect for the man.

If I choose to make a thread about him and his bad attitude then I have that right as you have the right to reply or not.

My point was simply that I have seen Mr. Grewal throw temper tantrums in bike races as did John Macenroe in tennis matches and I find the cry baby mentality in professional cycling to be very distasteful, I will leave it at that because thats my opinion.

Though I wont to stoop to the level of insults about coordinating handlebar plugs and waterbottle cages, and yes my bar tape (not my plugs) and bottle cages do match, but then again its my bike not yours. Come to think of it some of my bibs and jerseys match as do my boxing trunks and robe, but then again they belong to me and if I choose to make them match its my choice.

Again have a wonderful evening Mr. Don D

There is nothing wrong with Hampsten knocking people out of the way. Anyone who crowds him or touches him is a danger to the rider and themselves. If he doesn't want to be touched, or rinsed off, that his business, He has a job to do.

you may remember in 1999 when some dolt with a camera in the middle of the road knocked Guerini off his bike near the top of the Alpe, he still won the stage, but it could have been a disaster.

You will see fans run along side and offer a bottle of water, some riders will take it and dump it on their heads themselves.

Guerini and moron.....

There is nothing wrong with Hampsten knocking people out of the way. Anyone who crowds him or touches him is a danger to the rider and themselves. If he doesn't want to be touched, or rinsed off, that his business, He has a job to do.

you may remember in 1999 when some dolt with a camera in the middle of the road knocked Guerini off his bike near the top of the Alpe, he still won the stage, but it could have been a disaster.

You will see fans run along side and offer a bottle of water, some riders will take it and dump it on their heads themselves.
Agreed, look what happend to Armstrong this last year, it could have been much worse if he or the person that he got hung up on were seriously hurt, crowd control is definately one of the stronger points in most road European cycling events.

Contrast this with Claudi Chiapucci's epic ride into Sestrieres where throngs of fans put their hands on his back, sprayed him, etc... Chiapucci just did what all riders are supposed to do. He rode on ignoring them, not striking back.
.

One of the great stages in tour history and arguably the greatest ride in the last 15 years. 140 km and three climbs alone. To this day I don't know that I've seen that many people on a mountain. I still get goose bumps thinking about it.

http://www.letour.fr/tour/fr/etapes/Chappucci.gif

you may remember in 1999 when some dolt with a camera in the middle of the road knocked Guerini off his bike near the top of the Alpe, he still won the stage, but it could have been a disaster.


Guerini didn't haul off and punch the guy though. In fact, when the Eric (the guy he ran into) met up with him later to apologize, Guerini shrugged it off as just a silly accident.

Guerini didn't haul off and punch the guy though. In fact, when the Eric (the guy he ran into) met up with him later to apologize, Guerini shrugged it off as just a silly accident.

It was a silly accident, but deliberatly touching or throwing/pouring substances is not accidental.