Chris Horner returns to racing with Lampre
American Chris Horner makes 2014 season debut for Lampre-Merida at the Challenge Mallorca
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Chris Horner returned to racing at 42 years old today with team Lampre. He finished in the group in the second day of the Challenge Mallorca. The group also included Bradley Wiggins (Sky), who starts his season, and Charles Planet (Novo Nordisk), 22 years younger than Horner.
In September, the American from Oregon became the oldest Grand Tour winner when he won the Vuelta a España at 41. However, he spent the winter looking for a team after his contract expired with RadioShack. The team switched sponsors to become Trek Factory Racing and could not reach a deal to keep Horner.
Team Lampre-Merida stepped in at the end of last month. The Italian first division team signed him for one year with the idea to take him to the Giro d'Italia. He told Spanish newspaper AS that he had to take a pay cut.
"I have bonuses for results. So more victories, more money," Horner said. "I signed a good contract, though. I'm happy mostly because I can continue to compete."
Horner, then with long hair, raced in Europe with Française des Jeux from 1997 to 1999. He returned from the USA in 2005 and raced for Saunier Duval, Lotto, Astana and RadioShack. He won the Tour of the Basque Country in 2010 and the Tour of California in 2011. Last year's win, a Grand Tour ahead of Vincenzo Nibali (Astana), 14 years younger, raised doubts.
Horner released his biological passport data and the UCI said that all anti-doping tests from the Vuelta were clean. Lampre, which is trying to shake off the Mantova Investigation, was convinced enough to sign him. Also, team manager Brent Copeland said that the team needs to internationalise and that he wants to reach out to potential sponsors in the USA.
The deal suited Lampre and Horner both. Horner, like Sam Sánchez who just signed for BMC Racing, had little time left ahead of the 2014 season.
"Last year, we had 22 teams trying for 18 WorldTour licences," Horner said. "After RadioShack, Vacansoleil and Euskaltel pulled out, there were 18 teams for 18 places. Last year, four or five teams would've fought for me. This year, no one needed my points."
With World Champion Rui Costa racing the Vuelta a España, Horner aims at the Giro d'Italia. He said that he hopes for a second or third place and that winning would be difficult with Joaquím Rodríguez (Katusha), Nairo Quintana (Movistar), Cadel Evans (BMC Racing) and Richie Porte (Sky) in attendance. He added that he feels obliged to return to the Vuelta later in the year to defend his title.
Horner, 36 days younger than the first division's oldest rider Jens Voigt, did not say for how long he would continue racing.
"I thought that at 36 or 37 I wouldn't be able to give any more," Horner said. "But I feel that my legs are going well and my motivation is high. I don't know when I will retire. I guess I will continue as long as my body and mind can withstand racing."
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
-
'We can't get enough high-end road and gravel bikes,' says Sigma Sports founder
Market demand remains strong for premium bikes and e-bikes, according to retailer
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Five dark horses for the men's Tour of Flanders 2023
Outside bets who could spring a surprise in 'De Ronde'
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Tom Boonen invited to test Colnago V4Rs after criticism of Tadej Pogačar's bike
Boonen and fellow ex-pro Dirk de Wolf invited to Italy for a "public conversation" on the data they used to make claim that bike hindered two-time Tour de France champion
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Molano sprints to stage four victory at UAE Tour to save UAE Team Emirates' race
Colombian rider wins stage for home team at fourth opportunity, as Remco Evenepoel continues in race lead
By Adam Becket • Published
-
All the 2023 kits: EF Education-EasyPost share latest collaboration with Rapha
American WorldTour team become latest to release their new 2023 kit, here's the rest
By Adam Becket • Published
-
From Grand Tour victories to gold medals: The nine best signings of 2022
We look back at the signings that made the biggest impacts during this year's season
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Alpecin-Deceuninck confirm Jay Vine move to UAE Team Emirates
The Australian previously hinted that he'd remain with the Belgian team in 2023
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Tadej Pogačar is still the best rider in the world, right?
16 wins, a third monument, but second at the Tour de France sums up his 2022
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Adam Yates leaves Ineos Grenadiers for UAE Team Emirates
British rider agrees three year deal with new team
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Remco Evenepoel wins maiden grand tour at Vuelta a España
Juan Sebastián Molano takes a surprise final stage win after a messy sprint in Madrid
By Owen Rogers • Published