Chris Horner closes in on Vuelta win

ALTO DE L’ANGLIRU, SPAIN: A fierce duel on Saturday between Chris Horner and Italian Vincenzo Nibali in the Tour of Spain’s toughest climb ended with the 4 1 - year- old American poised to become cycling’s oldest Grand Tour winner. The veteran thwarted four ferocious attacks by Nibali on the misty and steep 12.5-km Alto de L’Angliru ascent and 1-km from the finish he raced away from his rival to cross the line in second place, 26 seconds behind stage winner Kenny Elissonde of France.

With one easy stage left on Sunday, RadioShack Leopard rider Horner has extended his lead over Nibali from three to 37 seconds. Spain’s Alejandro Valverde is third at one minute 36 seconds.

“Nibali’s attacks make this win much more epic, the fans must have been on the edges of their seats back home,” Horner told reporters.

Asked if he needed time to realise he was on the brink of his first Grand Tour victory, Horner replied: “I’ve had lots of time to think about it, about how much suffering it’s taken to get this. What I’m feeling today will last a lifetime”.

Riding through tunnellike lines of cheering fans and dense fog, Nibali briefly dropped Horner as the climb became steeper with 7-km to go.

But the American recovered well to regain contact and counter each of t he I t alian’s moves before punching one arm skywards as he crossed the line.

SMASH RECORDS

With t he f i rst victory by an American in the Vuelta cl ose t o hand, Hor ner is set to smash the records for the most senior Grand Tour winners.