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For the primary time in 10 years, an American is dominating La Vuelta, with Sepp Kuss doing so this 12 months after Chris Horner grew to become champion in 2013.
The American rider conquered the Spanish tour on the age of 41 to develop into the oldest rider to take action.
“It is one of many nice moments of my skilled profession, I bear in mind it with nice fondness”, he informed MARCA from the United States, the place he at present lives.
Chris Horner on the problem of La Vuelta
Horner beat cyclists like Vincenzo Nibali, Joaquim Rodriguez and Alejandre Valverde in that 2013 tour.
He cemented his success on the well-known summit of the Angliru, the place this Wednesday his compatriot Kuss must defend his lead.
“That day I felt a number of energy,” he stated.
“There have been large rivals, however I felt match and I used to be in a position to do it.
“The Angliru is among the most particular mountain passes.”
For the American, his victory was not a whole shock.
“In fact it was an eye-catcher, however I had gained earlier than within the Vuelta al Pais Vasco and in different high races,” he identified.
“That 12 months I felt excellent and I used to be in a position to obtain one of many largest successes of my profession.”
Chris Horner’s story
The 51-year-old bicycle owner was born in Okinawa, Japan, as a result of his mother and father labored within the US Navy, however he has virtually at all times lived in Oregon.
In america, he continues along with his new life. He works on a YouTube channel and is targeted on his basis, whose problem is “to create a junior highway biking group that’s inclusive, accessible to all socioeconomic statuses with the concentrate on growing a love of the game of biking that we hope will final a lifetime”.
He enjoys working alongside the younger riders as a part of this charitable work.
“The Horner Biking Basis addresses the rising want for a youth highway biking growth programme in Central Oregon,” he defined.
“The objective is to get younger cyclists enthusiastic about using on the highway and being a part of a group.”
Comfortable for Kuss
In his position as an analyst on YouTube, Horner delivers the identical messages about Kuss as he did talking to MARCA.
“I feel he can win La Vuelta,” Horner began, talking about Kuss.
“When Remco Evenepoel stayed on the Aubisque there I believed Sepp might win this race.
“Jonas‘ techniques have been good. In Jumbo they’ve all the things to win this race and proper now Kuss has sufficient distance to do it.”
The bicycle owner is enthusiastic concerning the position of his compatriot, though he recognises that in his nation they aren’t utterly enthusiastic.
“America is just not like Spain, Belgium, Italy, France or Colombia the place biking is a faith,” he admitted.
“These followers love the cyclists and observe them in each race on this planet.
“The next is brutal, however in america it is completely different.
“Right here you activate the TV and there is tennis, Components 1 or different sports activities.
“You additionally see biking, nevertheless it’s not the second sport because it may be within the international locations talked about.
“Individuals need Kuss to win, everybody loves him, nevertheless it’s actually centered on the followers who like biking.”
Horner, The ‘Burger King’
Horner was recognized to be an awesome client of hamburgers, snickers and Coca Cola throughout his time within the sport.
“A lot of that’s true and, in La Vuelta that I gained, I ate 12 hamburgers within the days earlier than the mountain phases,” he confirmed.
“They gave me energy and did not make me really feel dangerous. I do know this may occasionally sound a bit loopy now, however on the time they did not make me really feel dangerous and I gained the race as proof of that.”
Now, with out hamburgers and measuring each gram of meals, an American is near repeating his success.
“Few issues would make me happier,” Horner said.
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