Chris Horner at Team RadioShack team camp before kits were issued

Chris Horner’s body took a beating in 2009 with multiple crashes that limited his racing. Horner does not look to repeat a season which started out with great promise at the Tour of California and Tour de Gila, where his skills as a super domestique were on display, riding on the front for literally hours at a time as he has always done.

In speaking to other teammates, especially the neo pros, it’s obvious that Chris is an influential and highly respected rider and racer. Only one month younger than Lance he is quick to remind folks that he is not the oldest member of the newly formed RadioShack Team. Horner is renowned for his ability to replay every race, in great detail, whether his team won or lost. He has a natural ability for tactics and strategy that teammate Jani Brajkovic called, “better than almost any team director in the world.”

I asked Horner about how he reads races and what how he uses the information. The Oregon resident has raced for 11 teams over his 15 year career and his experience is one of the reasons he was invited to continue with Lance and Johan. Check out the extended interview below as Horner talks about racing and how his attention to detail and analytical skills makes his head as valuable as his legs.