Christopher Horner on the verge of victory at the Tirreno-Adriatico
Christopher Horner has moved one step closer after his all round performance during the stage 6 of the Tirreno-Adriatico.
He crossed the finish-line at the fourth position and maintained his lead at the overall classifications.
Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver of Team Katusha grabbed the first position while Vincenzo Nibali and Danilo Di Luca occupied the second and the third positions.
The Spaniard was happy with the stage win, "In the last two stages I was a little disappointed: they were good courses for me but I couldn't win, also because my rivals were in a better shape".
He noted, “Instead, today in theory it was a better stage for Oscar Freire, more suitable to his characteristics, but when I saw he was not ahead I tried to win”.
Vincenzo Nibali of Team Liquigas Cannondale was delighted with the second place finish. It earned him six seconds at the overall classification.
"Today's second place makes me almost as happy as a victory, it’s clear numerical advantage and above all a psychological one," he said.
Nibali is leading the point’s classifications with 30 important points in his pocket with Peter Sagan and Roman Kreuziger at the second and the third positions.
The Italian is now at the third overall position with a deficit of six seconds on the leader Horner. Roman Kreuziger is five seconds behind at the second spot.
Rinaldo Nocentini, Michele Scarponi and Johnny Hoogerland are at the fourth, fifth and sixth positions after the stage 6 classifications.
Horner had a terrific last season and claimed the overall victory at the Tour of California 2011. He bagged the fourth stage of the race and finished second during the seventh stage of the race.
The 40-year-old started riding professionally with Team Francaise des Jeux in 1997 and represented a number of teams during his extensive career.
He joined Team RadioShack in 2010 and is continuing his third consecutive season with the team.
Horner is now eyeing the 9.3 kilometre individual time trial stage 7 of the race which will decide the final winner of the Italian race.
He will keep a close eye on Roman Kreuziger and Vincenzo Nibali as the duo is still within range to grab the top podium spot.
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