Looks Like Horner Has a ProTour Ride After All

[Uncle Jam's Army]

Looks to be Lampre-Merida: http://velonews.competitor.com/2014/01/news/horner-linked-to-lampre-deal_313765

[Steve in SLO]

Horner could not immediately be reached for comment.

WooHoo!!! Let's hope he was out celebrating with a Double-Double and a beer!

[BumbleBeeDave]

Good for him!

BBD

[thwart]

I like it.

Costa and Horner. :hello:

[bobswire]

Good guy, I'm happy for him.

[Fixed]

Cool
Cheers

[Shortsocks]

About F**cking time. :hello:
Jesus. I was about to start a paceline paypal fund to get him a job.

[enr1co]

Good stuff for Horner- Lampre kits look cool too- way better than anything with Trek on it :)

[pinoymamba]

didn't know rui costa joined lampre-merida. i was looking forward to see him on a canyon =(

glad horner found a team. hopefully he'll be injury free this year. i'd like to him at the tour of california one last time.

[FlashUNC]

Wonder how much (little) he's taking for the gig compared to his original asking price.

And he's clearly going to be riding in service for Costa a good chunk of the year I'd imagine.

[tele]

I think he is aiming for the Giro and then be a super domestique for Costa at the Tour.

Hope he has been training and not down on the couch waiting for the phone to ring!

[soulspinner]

I think he is aiming for the Giro and then be a super domestique for Costa at the Tour.

Hope he has been training and not down on the couch waiting for the phone to ring!

+1 This would be great......Chris will be ready:cool:

[tigoat]

Hope he will kick some butt for us middle age guys!

[Vientomas]

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/horner-offered-to-other-teams-as-well-as-lampre-says-copeland

Lampre-Merida manager Brent Copeland has downplayed speculation linking his team with Chris Horner, explaining that the Vuelta a España winner’s agent, Baden Cooke, has offered his services to a number of teams in the past week.

“Horner’s new agent, Baden Cooke, called me to propose the signing of his rider,” Copeland told Tuttobici. “We’re not the only ones who were contacted. Cooke has recently taken over as Chris’ representative and is going around the teams again, he’s opening up contacts.”

[FlashUNC]

Sounds like the initial story came from Horner's camp then.

He's totally mis-read the market given what's been going on this offseason.

[oldpotatoe]

Sounds like the initial story came from Horner's camp then.

He's totally mis-read the market given what's been going on this offseason.

Hope it's true, Horner, IMHO, is one of the good guys. Plus he gets to ride a bike with Campagnolo..... !

[Hawker]

It's getting late, sure hope this is true. What does their jersey look like this year...do I want to buy one? On the other hand, the last time I bought something my favorite rider wore I had to dispose of it...it was yellow.


Found it: http://www.teamlampremerida.com/wp-content/gallery/divise-lampre-merida-2014-lampre-merida-2014-kits/team-jersey-right-lato-destro-maglia.jpg

[LJohnny]

Velonews reports the deal as "100%" complete. Good for him!

[RonW87]

Doesn't Merida own Specialized? Or vice versa?

[Mark McM]

Doesn't Merida own Specialized? Or vice versa?

Merida owns a minority share of Specialized (49%, according to Wikipedia), while Mike Sinyard remains the majority owner.

[FlashUNC]

There's also the agreement that Merida will not sell in the U.S., while Specialized won't sell in certain overseas markets that Merida's in.

[Uncle Jam's Army]

Does Merida manufacture Specialized's bikes?

[ultraman6970]

I like this news. It would be so cool to see this guy in the top 5 in all his calendar 2014, that sure radioshack will be busting their nuts for not taking him for this season.

[binxnyrwarrsoul]

I like this news. It would be so cool to see this guy in the top 5 in all his calendar 2014, that sure radioshack will be busting their nuts for not taking him for this season.

Plus 1. Glad he got a ride.

[Willy]

Cycling news.com is saying that it is not a done deal.

"
Lampere-Merida manager Brent Copeland has downplayed speculation linking his team with Chris Horner, explaining that the Vuelta a España winner’s agent, Baden Cooke, has offered his services to a number of teams in the past week."

[Tandem Rider]

Looks like BMC now has an opening...

[chengher87]

Looks like BMC now has an opening...

I was thinking that myself. If Cadel AND Tejay both target the Tour, that leaves the Giro and Vuelta wide open.

BMC typically chase stages in those two grand tours, so why not give Horner a one or two year deal to take leadership of those GTs while they groom Atapuma?

[Shortsocks]

I was thinking that myself. If Cadel AND Tejay both target the Tour, that leaves the Giro and Vuelta wide open.

BMC typically chase stages in those two grand tours, so why not give Horner a one or two year deal to take leadership of those GTs while they groom Atapuma?

Mmm...I don't know. The Giro seems to be targeted by Nairo Quintana and it seems that Movistar is giving him a full backing while Valverde is nailing the tour. I'm pretty sure that the Giro is going to be quite mountainous this year. Regardless I'd love to see Quintana go up against Horner this year. In fact I'd love to see anyone go up against Nairo.

[patrick8037]

Cuddles has already stated he's targeting the Giro next year.

I remain unconvinced that this news is legit until I hear it from both sides. We've already seen the "done deal" headlines with Caja Rural and Christina Watches; both of which turned out to be bogus.

I'd love to see Horner on a World Tour team, but I need a little more proof.

[echappist]

Hope it's true, Horner, IMHO, is one of the good guys. Plus he gets to ride a bike with Campagnolo..... !

Lampre switched to Shimano last year

http://img.over-blog-kiwi.com/0/78/53/13/ob_89a4ee_1537982-10151975329279492-1800849458-o.jpg

[FlashUNC]

Lampre switched to Shimano last year

http://img.over-blog-kiwi.com/0/78/53/13/ob_89a4ee_1537982-10151975329279492-1800849458-o.jpg

The full list of who's riding what next year:

http://inrng.com/2014/01/2014-pro-team-bikes/

[Admiral Ackbar]

thats the worst promotional photo i have ever seen

[oldpotatoe]

Lampre switched to Shimano last year

http://img.over-blog-kiwi.com/0/78/53/13/ob_89a4ee_1537982-10151975329279492-1800849458-o.jpg

Oppps, thinking Lotto...

[bobswire]

thats the worst promotional photo i have ever seen

You ( as in USA) are not the intended target for that ad. Personally I like it, in your face look at me ad that screams, you too can be a Worlds Champion on a Merida. A what?

[therealpeel]

Good news that he found a team. I am not surprised that it took so long. Look forward to reading more about this.

[therealpeel]

Good news that he found a team. I am not surprised that it took so long. Look forward to reading more about this.

oops...two seconds more of "reading" and I would have realized that its a bit early to celebrate...

[ultraman6970]

This is the link...

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/horner-offered-to-other-teams-as-well-as-lampre-says-copeland


Cycling news.com is saying that it is not a done deal.

"
Lampere-Merida manager Brent Copeland has downplayed speculation linking his team with Chris Horner, explaining that the Vuelta a España winner’s agent, Baden Cooke, has offered his services to a number of teams in the past week."

[thwart]

Sounds like it's still in negotiations, but leaning strongly toward hopping onboard at Lampre; hopes to ink the contract by next Friday.

http://velonews.competitor.com/2014/01/news/lampre-manager-copeland-hopeful-he-can-sign-horner_313829

[bobswire]

BMC could use someone of his talents now that Ballan is gone. http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/16203/No-decision-yet-on-whether-Ballans-vacant-slot-on-BMC-Racing-Team-will-be-filled-by-another-rider.aspx

[ultraman6970]

Horner is not a world champion, they won't take him ;D

[bobswire]

Horner is not a world champion, they won't take him ;D

:)

[jonnyBgood]

I'm sure Horner will be ready whatever roll he is to take.

They have said that he would like to contend for the Giro d'italia title which would be pretty cool if he could win that before he retires...if he does??? :)

[ultraman6970]

If he does, trek team will be beating his nuts even more for betting on the dynamic duo and not on the old fart. With the right support Horner should be getting better results than the dynamic duo anyways, go old fart, go!

[oldpotatoe]

If he does, trek team will be beating his nuts even more for betting on the dynamic duo and not on the old fart. With the right support Horner should be getting better results than the dynamic duo anyways, go old fart, go!

Horner will be eager to take on a big, rainy day stage, with a big decent and the sisters will whine, whimper and drop out.

[ultraman6970]

Well... the 1st whine of the season will be "it is too hot."

[azrider]

Good for him

http://www.bicycling.com/news/pro-cycling/vuelta-champion-chris-horner-finds-team-2014?cm_mmc=Facebook-_-Bicycling-_-Content-Story-_-horner-lampre

[enr1co]

The story is in Velo news so it must be accurate and confirmed :rolleyes:

http://velonews.competitor.com/2014/01/news/lampre-confirms-signing-of-chris-horner-for-2014-season_315256

Kidding aside- Good for Horner-Lampre made a good choice!

[oldpotatoe]

Good for him

http://www.bicycling.com/news/pro-cycling/vuelta-champion-chris-horner-finds-team-2014?cm_mmc=Facebook-_-Bicycling-_-Content-Story-_-horner-lampre

Forza!!

[Rednivek]

I think he is aiming for the Giro and then be a super domestique for Costa at the Tour.



Is Lampre in the Tour?

[Uncle Jam's Army]

Is Lampre in the Tour?

Yes, they're a ProTour team.

[Hawker]

Good,now I have a reason to watch pro racing. I hope.

[enr1co]

Is Lampre in the Tour?

From:
http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/542216/tour-de-france-2014-teams-announced.html


2014 Tour de France teams
WorldTour teams
Ag2r La Mondiale (Fra)
Astana Pro Team (Kaz)
Belkin-Pro Cycling Team (Ned)
BMC Racing Team (USA)
Cannondale Pro Cycling (Ita)
FDJ.fr (Fra)
Garmin Sharp (USA)
Katusha Team (Rus)
Lampre-Merida (Ita)
Lotto Belisol (Bel)
Movistar Team (Spa)
Omega Pharma-QuickStep Cycling Team (Bel)
Orica-GreenEdge (Aus)
Team Europcar (Fra)
Team Giant-Shimano (Ned)
Team Sky (GBr)
Tinkoff Saxo (Den)
Trek Factory Racing (USA)

Wildcard teams
Bretagne-Séché Environnement (Fra)
Cofidis (Fra)
IAM Cycling (Sui)
Team Netapp - Endura (Ger)


Read more at http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/542216/tour-de-france-2014-teams-announced.html#yXiCKFcpFApyAoXc.99

[Shortsocks]

If he does, trek team will be beating his nuts even more for betting on the dynamic duo and not on the old fart. With the right support Horner should be getting better results than the dynamic duo anyways, go old fart, go!

Good for him! Viva la Horner!
I hope he wins at least one more grand tour!
I can't Trek, F them...(and specialized.:banana:)