the vertical is better, you’re right:
1. since it’s taken from farther away, the man on the bike and other similar distractions aren’t visible, they just become part of the shadowing.
2. it’s more centered. usually, the subject shouldn’t be centered, but when the subject itself is symmetrical, it should be centered because if not, it lends an oddly lopsided look to the picture.
3. the horizon on the vertical one is about two thirds from the top, while on the horizontal version, it’s closer to the middle, a cardinal sin in the world of landscape photography.
that’s my (unprofessional) opinion.
they’re both really really good though. where in the world is that?