Power13 wrote:
As a rough comparison, did Ritchie Porte "contend" this year's TdF? I wouldn't say he did, even though he was sitting 2nd at roughly the same point of the race as the Vuelta is now.
Like I said....3 week race. Long way to go.
1) Porte's role was ALWAYS domestique. Horner is the undisputed team leader.
2) Vuelta is a COMPLETELY different race than the TdF. It's much more climber oriented, particularly this year's edition.
3) Horner has finished 10th (after dragging around LA the first half of the race) and 13th in previous TdF, so he's not a slouch in 3 week races. His usual problem has been staying upright - he's crashed out more often than not.
Yes it's early, but if he doesn't lose much time in the TT, can stay uptight, can mark Nibali and Rodriguez through the Pyrenees, he stands a really good chance when they get to the Angliru, a climb that plays into his wheelhouse. I don't think this race will be decided until the penultimate day.