Despite having reached the ripe old age of 41 years old, Chris Horner of RadioShack-Leopard remains competitive and able to hold his own even against an all-star field.

Horner took fifth place on the stage at the Tirreno-Adriatico yesterday and moved into 5th overall as well behind the GC leader Chris Froome (Sky). 

Horner was caught slightly unprepared for the sudden change of gradient and pace coming onto the last steep incline of the stage, “Coming down the 30k descent I never hit the brakes or pedalled,” Horner explained after the stage on the team website, “but then to have to ramp up for the climb my legs were not quite ready so I lost a little position and had to work my way back to the Sky train.  I used up quite a bit of energy there but overall I’m happy with my form.  Certainly this climb wasn’t ideal for me but I was there at the finish so that’s good.”

Unable to follow Rodriguez' burst

The sudden burst of speed lashed out by Rodriguez did not take Horner by surprise, but even though he had seen it coming, he was unable to respond once Rodriguez unleashed the mighty powers of his afterburner. “I knew Purito (Rodriguez) was going to go – it was just a matter of when so I kept telling my body to be ready when he went.  But then when he went, my body said, ‘Uh, no, not right now.’  No one went for him except for Froome and no one would help him.  But what can you do?  He’s the number one rider in the world on a climb ideally suited for him.  It was explosive, short and sweet.  I was right there – but could only watch.  It’s funny to know it’s coming but still not be able to respond.”

Towards the end of the stage Horner was left to his own devices without any teammates to support him, but it’s a position the American rider is perfectly comfortable with and he was more than able to hold his own and cut a credible figure.