Americans Christopher Horner and Tejay van Garderen believe that have a shot at winning the road race Sunday at the cycling world championships.
And with an American team strong from top to bottom supporting them, it’s slightly surprising that the U.S. riders are still not considered a major threat.
Van Garderen says ”there’s the obvious favorites like (Alejandro) Valverde, (Philippe) Gilbert, (Peter) Sagan, (Vincenzo) Nibali. We’re not really having the pressure of having an outstanding leader. But I think we have a good shot.”
Van Garderen finished fifth in last year’s Tour de France and at 25 is considered a rider capable of winning a Grand Tour one day. Horner just won the Spanish Vuelta at the advanced age of 41 to become the oldest winner of a Grand Tour.
Ron Callahan is the chief cook and bottlewasher at Bike World News, doing everything from website design to bike reviews.