True Sportsmanship

In this age of professional athletes getting more press for their selfish acts, rather than their self-less ones, this cycling news feed I picked up today completely blew me away. It has been quite a while since I have heard (or seen) such a true example of what it means to be a sportsman of the highest caliber and ethics.

Americans Chris Horner and Levi Leipheimer of the Astana Professional Cycling Team spent this past week racing the Cascade Cycling Classic in Central Oregon. Levi was the favorite to win (and ended up taking the overall title), and Chris put in an outstanding week of riding support for his team leader. On Saturday, the final day of racing, the stage ended with an uphill mountain finish. Apparently, well after the leaders of the stage (Levi included) had finished, their was a crash of some of the remaining riders approximately 2 kilometers from the finish line.

Chris Horner, his work for Levi done, came upon it on his way to the stage finish. Now, I dare say that, most professional athletes after putting in a full day (70 miles) of support for their team leader, would simply continue riding to the finish, and call it a day. What did Chris do? Well.....check out the pictures.

Yep. Unreal. According to injured rider Billy Demong of Team American R.A.D.D. (not even Chris' team), Chris stopped and said, "Hey Dude, get on". Giving both injured Billy and his injured bike a ride, UPHILL, the final 2k of the event to cross the finish line!

Bravo Chris Horner. Thank you for, in one simple act, demonstrating that true sportsman still live.