VeloNews | How Chris Horner is spending July

Photographer Heidi Swift was near the summit of the final climb of Saturday’s fifth stage of the Cascade Cycling Classic when a passing race moto driver told her to get her camera ready.

Soon enough, Swift saw a strange sight: Astana rider Chris Horner pounding along, with a rider — and bike — along for the ride.

Swift learned later that Horner came across Billy Demong (Team American R.A.D.D./AGEL) about 2km from the summit. Horner, his work helping teammate Levi Leipheimer over, offered Demong a ride.

“I wasn’t really a huge Horner fan before this but I am now. What a class act,” Swift said.

Horner, by the way, still finished 82nd on the stage, nine minutes behind winner Moises Aldape, who won the stage. Results show Demond credited with the same time, in 83rd.

But hopefully not all the way down …

Cyclist critically injured in first stage of race | The Bulletin

UPDATE: 4:30 p.m. - A 29-year-old cyclist competing in the Cascade Cycling Classic was in critical condition Wednesday after a fall on Alfalfa Market Road east of Bend.

Race officials believe Ben Brooks, of Beverly, Mass., hit a cattle guard before crashing and suffering head injuries. He was unconscious at the scene of the crash, and a physician attended to him until he was taken to St. Charles Bend.

Brooks was racing as part of a team of professional riders in town for the race, an annual event that will continue through the weekend.

In other, better news, Louder (BMC) in 3rd, and T-bird (Bissell) in 12th (only 55 seconds back). Bryson Perry and Gardie Jackson (both American R.A.D.D.D.D.D.D.D.D.) are both solidly mid-pack.