Horner won the Vuelta a Espana back in 2010; since then, he’s taken an alternate approach by serving as commentator for NBC Sports during its three-week tour.
Bend, Oregon-based father of two young sons, Andrew Kean, is aware that cycling’s reputation in America remains low – something he hopes to change through his broadcasting role.
Team
Horner hails from Oregon and has spent the past 20 years competing professionally on bicycles. In 2013 and 2014, he placed in the top ten at Tour de France events, also winning Vuelta a Espana at age 41! Additionally, he has participated in significant races worldwide, including Giro d’Italia.
He’ll spend July working for NBC Sports alongside Paul Burmeister and retired US pro-Christian Vande Velde as part of their daily ‘traveling studio’ that travels to each stage of the Tour de France. There, he will provide analysis and interview riders before and after every race day.
NBC will provide live coverage of the Tour on television, radio, mobile devices, and online platforms, as well as stream each stage over its three weeks on its website and apps.
Horner has been competing as a professional since 1995. Since then, he has won stages and overall titles at some of cycling’s most renowned races, such as the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France, multiple US pro national championships, and a four-time USA Cycling race championship.
Horner was the oldest American ever to win a grand tour race and the first in nearly 30 years. Since then, he has become one of the sport’s most beloved figures thanks to his engaging personality and racing acumen.
Horner was involved in an incident during Stage 7 of this year’s Tour de France, which caused a broken nose and severe bruising, necessitating hospitalization for observation, but he was later released with no ill effects; his chances of winning six Tour titles had taken a considerable hit due to this setback.
Horner has been searching for a ride for next season, and during the Vuelta, he expressed confidence that he can still race at an elite level. Ideally, he wants to join a second-tier Pro Continental team offering European races.
Stages
Horner has stood out during this race of mountain stages with his outstanding performance. On stage 12, he attacked over the final kilometer to win, becoming one of only a few riders ever to both wear the leader’s jersey and win a set in Grand Tour history. Nibali extended his lead until stage 16 before further narrowing it on the penultimate stage that featured one of cycling’s most challenging climbs: Alto de l’Angliru; both critics and supporters view its steep gradients as acts of “barbarism,” and yet others see its difficulty as significant challenges that present extraordinary challenges that demand great effort on both riders’ parts.
Horner earned the moniker “The Smiler” due to his unwavering expressions of joy even during challenging moments, as well as for his signature finish line jumps which he considers “the best part of my job”. Horner became the first American since Lance Armstrong to win one of these world tours (in 2013); having won over 30 professional races, he currently ranks 10th overall on that circuit.
His victory at the Vuelta an Espana was particularly significant for Team Radio Shack because it included starting guarantees in key races like the Tour de France. Since winning that race, Horner has spent his free time training for it – hitting hills east and north of his San Diego home to train. Megan Elliott – former U.S. road racing champion currently studying to earn her law degree and MBA – has joined him. She and Horner are widely credited with helping him break his longtime addiction to cheeseburgers and fast foods, which was hindering his racing success.
Horner is best known as a professional cyclist; however, in addition to this, he hosts the popular podcast The Butterfly Effect and produces content for YouTube channels. He has competed seven times in the Tour de France competition and one time at the Olympic games of 2012. Based out of Bend, Oregon, with their wife and two children, in his free time, he enjoys skiing and scuba diving as hobbies.
Climbs
2023’s Tour de France will present riders with numerous mountainous challenges, particularly on its opening stage. Riders will face three separate ascents – one short and steep and two more extended and more moderate in terms of gradient. There will also be descents along the way; nevertheless, it promises an eventful beginning to the race.
On day two, the route will become increasingly mountainous. It will include climbing the Cote de la Chapelle-Marcousse – a 5.2-kilometer climb that peaks with 18.5 kilometers left – before ascending another short but steep ascent with an 8.5% grade that does not serve as a decisive summit.
The third day is a short mountainous stage that will end with a sprint for sprinters, making this day ideal for fast men who may try some attacks and breakaway moves to gain advantage.
On stage 16, there will be only a one-time trial of this race, featuring 22 kilometers and featuring Cote de Domancy, where Bernard Hinault launched his successful attack back in 1980. This challenge should prove challenging but rewarding to climbers alike! It will take place shortly before rest day two.
Horner was a former professional cyclist who competed for nearly two decades, including seven Tour de France appearances. He earned the distinction of becoming the oldest rider to win a stage at Vuelta a Espana (2013) – widely considered an icon within cycling circles.
Horne is well-recognized in the cycling world for his infectious smile and tireless support of teammate Levi Leipheimer’s successes, serving as his leading support rider and contributing significantly. Additionally, he serves as an NBC Sports TV commentator.
Horner was able to demonstrate that even at age 41, he still possessed the competitive spirit needed to compete successfully in the Vuelta in Spain. Part of his success has been due to Megan Elliott helping him adjust his diet and shed pounds.
Individual Time Trials
2023’s race will offer only one particular time trial of 22km, but it promises to be a difficult test for riders who specialize in racing against the clock – after two weeks of climbing in the Pyrenees, Massif Central, and Alps, it promises to be an enormous test of their skills!
This stage begins and ends in Bayonne, France. The route of this race defies convention: typically, it moves north-to-south across either the Alps or the Pyrenees before concluding back at Paris for a parade. Instead, Bilbao-Alps cut northeastward through various mountain ranges before reaching their goal at last.
Start from Courchevel Altiport, head uphill towards Col de la Loze, and descend before crossing back over into Courchevel on an undulating course that features 5,100 meters of climbing. This an excellent opportunity for Olympic champion Rigoberto Uran (Lotto-Dstny) to make an impression for his new team, while fellow Alpine-Deceuninck rider Jasper Philipsen should also likely make an impactful statement about himself at the front.
After the second time check on the Cote de Domancy, riders may find it challenging to maintain an adequate pace on this stretch of road. Shifting between using more giant gears on flat sections and smaller gears on steeper portions should provide them with faster times overall.
Jonas Vingegaard from Lidl-Trek is a good bet at this stage, given his outstanding power, aerodynamics, and ability to ride uphill quickly. Tadej Pogacar (Bora-Hansgrohe) weighs significantly more, but time trials have demonstrated how superior timing can overcome weight differentials between riders.
The final stage will feature an exciting sprinters’ finish, with its winner likely coming from one of the top 10 General Classification teams. That is because this 27.5km circuit race around Nice will likely come down to who can best control pace on the final climb up Boulevard des Anglais; Matej Mohoric of Bahrain-Victorious won this race last year and finished second overall; therefore, he should be a compelling contender this time around.
