I’ve noticed a common theme in the life of Chris Horner these past few weeks. See if you notice anything suspect:

Exhibit A: post Fleche-Wallonne, April 19th

Photo source: http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2006/apr06/
flechewallonne06/index.php?id=fleche_bd_20060419_161033

Exhibit B: post Liege-Bastogne-Liege, April 23rd

Photo source: http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2006/apr06/lbl06/
index.php?id=lbl_finish_bd_20060423_164901

Exhibit C: post Tour de Romandie Stage 2, April 27th

Photo source: http://www.velonews.com/race/int/articles/9798.0.html

If I ran Davitamon-Lotto, there would be a person on the payroll whose job title reads “Chris Horner’s Cabana Boy” — someone whose sole responsibility consists of waiting at the finish line of every race to provide Horner with a freakin’ chair. Is a wee bit of post-race comfort too much to ask? This man is riding out of his skin, and what happens when he crosses the finish line? Horner just wants to sit down and compose himself, scarf down a Coke, maybe get the grime wiped off his face, and he’s got nothin’ but cold, damp asphalt/concrete at his disposal. And a couple of months ago Horner had to hit up a California bike shop for a tube, CO2 cartridges, and a seat pack for his Ridley so he wouldn’t be stranded on a pre-TofC training ride. Where’s all that megabucks ProTour team budget going? Can’t someone at Davitamon-Lotto toss some spare change Horner’s way so he can at least have one of these in time for the Tour de France: