Chris Horner set to continue racing career aged 44

Chris Horner will continue racing in 2016, with the 2013 Vuelta a España winner likely to re-sign with the Illuminate Cycling team, which grew out of the Airgas-Safeway team he was part of last season.

Rumours circulated that the 44-year-old American would retire as interest in the rider all-but disappeared after illness-affected 2014 and 2015 seasons.

>>> Chris Horner without a team due to ‘sponsor pressure’

But the former Radioshak and Lampre-Merida rider was announced as Road Brand Champion for Knight Composite, the company which provides wheels for the Illuminate team, confirming in the process that Horner will continue racing.

Despite struggling with a bacterial infection last season, Horner still rode to fifth overall in the Tour of Utah, just seconds behind  WorldTour riders Brent Bookwalter and Frank Schleck.

He also finished fifth in the US National Championships road race in May, confirming he's still got the skills to mix with riders nearly 20 years his junior.

"Joining Knight, a global company with roots in Bend, Oregon; is a great fit for me as I continue my career in professional cycling,” Horner said of the collaboration.

While it's not been confirmed that Horner will indeed ride for Illuminate in 2016, it seems pretty clear that we'll see the veteran pinning on a race number again in some capacity this season.