Chris Horner gone from Lampre-Merida for 2015

[bobswire]

Originally Posted by shovelhd

Time to race Masters.

Why? He fought thru terrible injuries and health issues yet he still scored higher UCI rating than those below him. Source UCI
http://www.uci.ch/road/ranking/

140 136 HORNER Christopher USA19711023 LAMPRE-MERIDA (LAM) 10
141 138 BENNATI Daniele ITA19800924 TINKOFF-SAXO (TCS) 10
142 137 DENNIS Rohan AUS19900528 BMC RACING TEAM (BMC) 10
143 140 ZAUGG Oliver SUI19810509 TINKOFF-SAXO (TCS) 9
144 141 VIVIANI Elia ITA19890207 CANNONDALE (CAN) 9
145 142 HUSHOVD Thor NOR19780118 BMC RACING TEAM (BMC) 8
146 143 ROELANDTS Jurgen BEL19850702 LOTTO BELISOL (LTB) 8
147 147 BAKELANTS Jan BEL19860214 OMEGA PHARMA - QUICK-STEP CYCLING TEAM (OPQ) 8
148 145 CATALDO Dario ITA19850317 TEAM SKY (SKY) 8
149 146 MALACARNE Davide ITA19870711 TEAM EUROPCAR (EUC) 8
150 150 DUMOULIN Samuel FRA19800820 AG2R LA MONDIALE (ALM) 8
151 144 KIRYIENKA Vasil BLR19810628 TEAM SKY (SKY) 8
152 148 LUTSENKO Alexey KAZ19920907 ASTANA PRO TEAM (AST) 8
153 149 GUARNIERI Jacopo ITA19870814 ASTANA PRO TEAM (AST) 8
154 151 DILLIER Silvan SUI19900803 BMC RACING TEAM (BMC) 6
155 152 SILIN Egor RUS19880625 TEAM KATUSHA (KAT) 6
156 156 MARTENS Paul GER19831026 BELKIN-PRO CYCLING TEAM (BEL) 6
157 153 GADRET John FRA19790422 MOVISTAR TEAM (MOV) 6
158 201 JANSE VAN RENSBURG Reinardt RSA19890203 TEAM GIANT-SHIMANO (GIA) 6
159 161 JUNGELS Bob LUX19920922 TREK FACTORY RACING (TFR) 6
160 154 CLEMENT Stef NED19820924 BELKIN-PRO CYCLING TEAM (BEL) 6
161 163 VANGENECHTEN Jonas BEL19860916 LOTTO BELISOL (LTB) 6
162 162 MEYER Cameron AUS19880111 ORICA GREENEDGE (OGE) 6
163 164 VAN KEIRSBULCK Guillaume BEL19910214 OMEGA PHARMA - QUICK-STEP CYCLING TEAM (OPQ) 6
164 157 VANDEWALLE Kristof BEL19850405 TREK FACTORY RACING (TFR) 6
165 158 STUYVEN Jasper BEL19920417 TREK FACTORY RACING (TFR) 6
166 159 ARNDT Nikias GER19911118 TEAM GIANT-SHIMANO (GIA) 6
167 160 GUARDINI Andrea ITA19890612 ASTANA PRO TEAM (AST) 6
168 165 BOS Theo NED19830822 BELKIN-PRO CYCLING TEAM (BEL) 6
169 166 MARCATO Marco ITA19840211 CANNONDALE (CAN) 5
170 167 CAPECCHI Eros ITA19860613 MOVISTAR TEAM (MOV) 5
171 169 BURGHARDT Marcus GER19830630 BMC RACING TEAM (BMC) 5
172 219 HENDERSON Greg NZL19760910 LOTTO BELISOL (LTB) 5
173 168 HUREL Tony FRA19871101 TEAM EUROPCAR (EUC) 5
174 - CHEREL Mikael FRA19860317 AG2R LA MONDIALE (ALM) 4
175 176 SERPA PEREZ Jose Rodolfo COL19790417 LAMPRE-MERIDA (LAM) 4
176 171 KANGERT Tanel EST19870311 ASTANA PRO TEAM (AST) 4
177 177 POZZATO Filippo ITA19810910 LAMPRE-MERIDA (LAM) 4
178 178 GENE Yohann FRA19810625 TEAM EUROPCAR (EUC) 4
179 175 MARTINEZ Yannick FRA19880504 TEAM EUROPCAR (EUC) 4
180 172 REZA Kévin FRA19880518 TEAM EUROPCAR (EUC) 4
181 174 ERVITI Imanol ESP19831115 MOVISTAR TEAM (MOV) 4
182 183 HOWARD Leigh AUS19891018 ORICA GREENEDGE (OGE) 4
183 173 MCCARTHY Jay AUS19920908 TINKOFF-SAXO (TCS) 4
184 - EWAN Caleb AUS19940711 ORICA GREENEDGE (OGE) 4
185 179 TULIK Angelo FRA19901202 TEAM EUROPCAR (EUC) 4
186 181 VEELERS Tom NED19840914 TEAM GIANT-SHIMANO (GIA) 4
187 182 GOSS Matthew Harley AUS19861105 ORICA GREENEDGE (OGE) 4
188 180 BOECKMANS Kris BEL19870213 LOTTO BELISOL (LTB) 4
189 184 PETACCHI Alessandro ITA19740103 OMEGA PHARMA - QUICK-STEP CYCLING TEAM (OPQ) 4
190 190 APPOLLONIO Davide ITA19890602 AG2R LA MONDIALE (ALM) 3
191 185 GAVAZZI Francesco ITA19840801 ASTANA PRO TEAM (AST) 3
192 187 BRAMBILLA Gianluca ITA19870822 OMEGA PHARMA - QUICK-STEP CYCLING TEAM (OPQ) 3
193 189 ROCHE Nicolas IRL19840703 TINKOFF-SAXO (TCS) 3
194 186 LIGTHART Pim NED19880616 LOTTO BELISOL (LTB) 3
195 188 MONTAGUTI Matteo ITA19840106 AG2R LA MONDIALE (ALM) 3
196 - MAES Nikolas BEL19860409 OMEGA PHARMA - QUICK-STEP CYCLING TEAM (OPQ) 3
197 191 ARASHIRO Yukiya JPN19840922 TEAM EUROPCAR (EUC) 2
198 192 KREDER Raymond NED19891126 GARMIN SHARP (GRS) 2
199 195 KOLOBNEV Alexandr RUS19810504 TEAM KATUSHA (KAT) 2
200 198 SERRY Pieter BEL19881121 OMEGA PHARMA - QUICK-STEP CYCLING TEAM (OPQ) 2
201 200 MORI Manuele ITA19800809 LAMPRE-MERIDA (LAM) 2
202 - BOASSON HAGEN Edvald NOR19870517 TEAM SKY (SKY) 2
203 199 BRUTT Pavel RUS19820129 TEAM KATUSHA (KAT) 2
204 196 CLARKE Simon AUS19860718 ORICA GREENEDGE (OGE) 2
205 193 CARDOSO Andre Fernando S. Martins POR19840903 GARMIN SHARP (GRS) 2
206 209 KING Benjamin USA19890322 GARMIN SHARP (GRS) 2
207 194 POLANC Jan SLO19920506 LAMPRE-MERIDA (LAM) 2
208 203 QUINZIATO Manuel ITA19791030 BMC RACING TEAM (BMC) 2
209 197 WARBASSE Lawrence USA19900628 BMC RACING TEAM (BMC) 2
210 202 VON HOFF Steele AUS19871231 GARMIN SHARP (GRS) 2
211 204 MORENO BAZAN Javier ESP19840718 MOVISTAR TEAM (MOV) 2
212 205 DEBUSSCHERE Jens BEL19890828 LOTTO BELISOL (LTB) 2
213 207 DE GENDT Thomas BEL19861106 OMEGA PHARMA - QUICK-STEP CYCLING TEAM (OPQ) 2
214 206 CUMMINGS Stephen GBR19810319 BMC RACING TEAM (BMC) 2
215 208 VALLEE Boris BEL19930603 LOTTO BELISOL (LTB) 2
216 210 RATTO Daniele ITA19891005 CANNONDALE (CAN) 2
217 212 FENN Andrew GBR19900701 OMEGA PHARMA - QUICK-STEP CYCLING TEAM (OPQ) 2
218 211 HENAO MONTOYA Sergio Luis COL19871210 TEAM SKY (SKY) 2
219 218 IZAGUIRRE INSAUSTI Gorka ESP19871007 MOVISTAR TEAM (MOV) 1
220 215 BOOKWALTER Brent USA19840216 BMC RACING TEAM (BMC) 1
221 223 ROUX Anthony FRA19870418 FDJ.FR (FDJ) 1
222 224 BOUET Maxime FRA19861103 AG2R LA MONDIALE (ALM) 1
223 214 NORDHAUG Lars Petter NOR19840514 BELKIN-PRO CYCLING TEAM (BEL) 1
224 216 BRESCHEL Matti DEN19840831 TINKOFF-SAXO (TCS) 1
225 228 VAN POPPEL Boy NED19880118 TREK FACTORY RACING (TFR) 1
226 213 SANTAROMITA Ivan ITA19840430 ORICA GREENEDGE (OGE) 1
227 229 VERMOTE Julien BEL19890726 OMEGA PHARMA - QUICK-STEP CYCLING TEAM (OPQ) 1
228 226 KOREN Kristijan SLO19861125 CANNONDALE (CAN) 1
229 217 HALLER Marco AUT19910401 TEAM KATUSHA (KAT) 1
230 225 DE KORT Koen NED19820908 TEAM GIANT-SHIMANO (GIA) 1
231 230 VAN DER SANDE Tosh BEL19901128 LOTTO BELISOL (LTB) 1
232 231 VOIGT Jens GER19710917 TREK FACTORY RACING (TFR) 1
233 220 SINKELDAM Ramon NED19890209 TEAM GIANT-SHIMANO (GIA) 1
234 221 BOIVIN Guillaume CAN19890525 CANNONDALE (CAN) 1
235 - RICHEZE Maximiliano Ariel ARG19830307 LAMPRE-MERIDA (LAM) 1
236 222 ENGOULVENT Jimmy FRA19791207 TEAM EUROPCAR (EUC) 1

[FlashUNC]

I certainly feel for him with his injuries last year. Nearly getting killed by a truck tends to derail a season.

But he's now approaching his mid-40s. Owner of probably the sketchiest Grand Tour win we've seen in a long time (and that's just pretending the Frischkorn interview never happened). Car crash aside has shown zero ability to stay healthy for any extended stretch of his now really long career.

[bobswire]

Originally Posted by FlashUNC

I certainly feel for him with his injuries last year. Nearly getting killed by a truck tends to derail a season.

But he's now approaching his mid-40s. Owner of probably the sketchiest Grand Tour win we've seen in a long time (and that's just pretending the Frischkorn interview never happened). Car crash aside has shown zero ability to stay healthy for any extended stretch of his now really long career.

He'll be the judge of when he retires or can no longer cut it. I'm 69 can still out ride many half my age. As for suspicion on doping, prove it. Frischkorn was "opinion" you know like you can read everyday in newspapers. But before branding him a cheater, prove it. I'm more suspicious of Froome TDF win but until they prove otherwise he's the winner.

[FlashUNC]

Originally Posted by bobswire

He'll be the judge of when he retires or can no longer cut it. I'm 69 can still out ride many half my age. As for suspicion on doping, prove it. Frischkorn was "opinion" you know like you can read everyday in newspapers. But before branding him a cheater, prove it. I'm more suspicious of Froome TDF win but until they prove otherwise he's the winner.

I never said he should be obligated to retire. If he wants to be the cycling equivalent of Willie Mays playing for the Mets, more power to him.

Frischkorn had very specific allegations that were not "opinion." He pointed out he was introduced to blood doping by a fellow rider on the Saturn team that was still currently in the World Tour ranks. At the time of the interview last year, that was all of one guy -- Horner.

Fact remains Horner is the oldest winner of a Grand Tour ever. He did something literally the titans of the sport's history weren't able to accomplish. If he did it clean, then he should have racked up about 15 Grand Tour victories during the Dopage Era and should be the most vocal about hanging those guys from the yard arm.

Putting all that aside, he's 43. The World Tour is shrinking with fewer teams this year. Who makes more sense from a team perspective to sign, a young kid with upside who can be brought on board for cheap, or literally someone twice his age who can't stay healthy?

I hope he has fun racing domestically next year and gets whatever he's looking for. But this isn't some huge loss from the World Tour peloton.

[redir]

If they honestly think he's top ten quality at a grand tour then I'm not sure why they would let him go.

[Joachim]

Originally Posted by redir

If they honestly think he's top ten quality at a grand tour then I'm not sure why they would let him go.

He just needs fresh blood.

[peanutgallery]

Rider #15 has had his chance, time to move on unless he wants to become another Steve Tilford. World Tour to domestic crits at his age? I don't see the point of being the recipient of scarce resources or wasting the time riding around in a van with the John Wordin's of the world. The $ can't be more than subsistence level, hardly worth getting off of the couch

Time to gas up the dirt bikes, grab a bag of burgers and enjoy life with friends, family and kids. Much more fun

[victoryfactory]

Originally Posted by bobswire

He'll be the judge of when he retires or can no longer cut it. I'm 69 can still out ride many half my age.

You GO man!
(I'm getting up there too)

[Ti Designs]

Originally Posted by El Chaba

There is a narrative that they try to push that the doping was a problem with the *old* generation of riders....The *new* generation is CLEAN...

Must be true, I read it on the internet...

[bobswire]

Originally Posted by FlashUNC

I never said he should be obligated to retire. If he wants to be the cycling equivalent of Willie Mays playing for the Mets, more power to him.

Frischkorn had very specific allegations that were not "opinion." He pointed out he was introduced to blood doping by a fellow rider on the Saturn team that was still currently in the World Tour ranks. At the time of the interview last year, that was all of one guy -- Horner.

Fact remains Horner is the oldest winner of a Grand Tour ever. He did something literally the titans of the sport's history weren't able to accomplish. If he did it clean, then he should have racked up about 15 Grand Tour victories during the Dopage Era and should be the most vocal about hanging those guys from the yard arm.

Putting all that aside, he's 43. The World Tour is shrinking with fewer teams this year. Who makes more sense from a team perspective to sign, a young kid with upside who can be brought on board for cheap, or literally someone twice his age who can't stay healthy?

I hope he has fun racing domestically next year and gets whatever he's looking for. But this isn't some huge loss from the World Tour peloton.

I agree (in BOLD),my point being that's his choice to make. Me, I enjoy watching him on the bike ,his upbeat attitude and his ability to pedal long steep climbs of which the Vuelta he won seemed to be tailored made for him.
http://velonews.competitor.com/2013/...-course_302951

[CunegoFan]

This must be a _really_ small domestic team since all the big ones have denied an interest in Horner. The chance of him getting to race the ToC, ToU, or USAPC would seem to be remote.

Can't NBC sack Vandevelde and put Horner in his place? That has to pay more than a domestic regional "pro" team.

[brando]

Originally Posted by CunegoFan

Can't NBC sack Vandevelde and put Horner in his place? That has to pay more than a domestic regional "pro" team.

I thought Vandelvelde was much improved toward the end of the season. But I do enjoy hearing Horner talk and watching him ride.

[fa63]

My guess is that Horner signed with Airgas-Safeway. Not sure he will get to do any big races, but I suppose it is better than nothing.

[Hawker]

Originally Posted by brando

I thought Vandelvelde was much improved toward the end of the season. But I do enjoy hearing Horner talk and watching him ride.

Agree on all counts. Hope he gets a shot at commentating at some point.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by fa63

My guess is that Horner signed with Airgas-Safeway. Not sure he will get to do any big races, but I suppose it is better than nothing.

Suspected by Velonews as well. I guess Chris knows the director in Bend. I guess he just wants to race. Can't believe he will still get his 6 figure salary so I guess it's just the love of training constantly and racing..even at the level of US racing.