Favorite quotes from a week of road racing: Porte, van Garderen, Horner, and Talansky

Realism. Perspective. These quotes from three riders in Paris-Nice and one at Tirreno-Adriatico offered up doses of both.

“Sometimes you just have to be happy with fourth, which I am.” Tejay van Garderen (BMC Racing Team) after the final stage of the 2013 Paris-Nice, via BMC Racing Team audio line.

Chris Horner at the 2012 Tour of Utah

“You always want to win, but I’d be happy with a top 10 in a field of this quality.” Chris Horner (RadioShack-Leopard) after the uphill finish on Stage 6 into Prati di Tivo in Tirreno-Adriatico.

“For me this race [Paris-Nice], I haven’t enjoyed it. Three years ago I was a neo-pro going out the back every day with Jimmy Casper and [Yaroslav] Popovych…” Richie Porte (Sky) after winning the 2013 Paris-Nice Stage 5 at La Montagne de Lure where he pulled on the race leader’s jersey.

“Two years ago, I came here [Paris-Nice] and suffered like a dog. I was on my knees and now I am second.” Andrew Talansky (Garmin-Sharp) after finishing second overall in Paris-Nice.