Greig Leach

Chris Horner (Lampre-Merida) is the second oldest man of the Tour de France peloton, just a couple of months younger than Jens Voigt (Trek Factory Racing). Horner, now able to ride for himself since Rui Costa was forced to retire from the Tour due to illness. Horner has been riding well, particularly given the serious train wreck that he experienced early in the season, a wreck that nearly left him unable to walk again and by all rights, should have been the end of his career. The professional peloton his made up of men that simply won't quit regardless of the hardships they have endured. But to be able to race flat out for 21 days with short stages covering over a hundred kilometers, the mental and physical fortitude of these cyclists simply won't allow themselves to throw in the towel. Many of those that have left the race have done so after finishing a stage with broken bones. When Horner made his attack, the only man who could go with him was the Yellow Jersey of Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) who used Horner's move as a spring board for an attack of his own.