Chris Horner(Lampre-Merida) finally finds a new home. Now he can sit down and talks about his job-hunting experience, as well as his season plans. The 42-year-old still has plenty to offer, as he tells AS.
It took Horner several months to find a new team after the negotiation between the Vuelta winner and Trek Factory Team failed. Horner suggests that if he experienced similar situation in last offseason, it'll be much easier for him. "Last year we had 22 teams to contest the 18 World Tour licenses and they signed the Asian Tour and African Tour leaders. Last year four or five teams would have fought for me."
Horner's Vuelta winning performance will bring UCI points to his new team, but this year there's only 18 teams contending the 18 slots. "This year, no one needed my points."
Obviously the Vuelta winner is now a happy man, "Well, I have premium results. More victories, more money. And I signed a good contract. I 'm happy." And Horner thinks he can still compete at the highest level of road cycling, "I thought I could not offer anymore when I was 36 or 37. But every year since, I feel my legs and motivation going well. I don't know when I will retire. I guess I will continue as long as the body and head can withstand."
Horner will have Giro as his main target. In Giro the American will face strong challenges in the form of Quintana(Movistar), Porte(Sky) and J.Rodriguez(Katusha). Horner is a bit surprised that Quintana and Movistar team decided to forgo Tour de France for the Italian grand tour, but the 42-year-old will try his best to match the Colombian's power in the mountains.
Defending Vuelta is another target that the American rider wants to focus on. Practically a must option for him to defend the victory. Also Horner wants to contend Tour of the Basque country, which he describes as "the race where champions are born". Horner won Basque country in 2010.
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