Professional Cycling For the Fans - So happy for George Hincapie

Who else is really happy for him?

He has been in 10 TdF's ( Phil ligget said) and hasnt ever won a stage. Finally he has.

He has lead lance to 6 and possibly 7, unselfishly.

He could have gone to a different team but no he decided to stay by lances side and help him get all the glory!

I cant imagine being so dedicated to helping SOMEONE ELSE get the glory!

On a side note did anyone else notice hincapie didnt get out of his saddle except once or twice at all the entire race.

-Rich

I've always been a fan..

I just now watched today's stage. awesome........

I like seeing how he's improved over the years. He used to lead up a climb and then drop off pretty quick. Now he hangs around a lot longer on those tough stages.

Plus he's a cool guy, as is his brother Rich.

I think this will go down as one of the highlights of not only George's career, but LA's as well. Definitely a case of a very selfless athlete getting a great chance and taking full advantage of it. I have been watching the Tour for about fifteen years now and this is one of the nicest things I have seen happen. It makes up for some of the sorry things, like the way T-Mobile is treating Vino. If there is any justice Vino will find a good team that will give him proper support next year.

I'm very happy for Georgie :D

I've always been a fan also, I think lace was as happy about it as he was. Lance had a huge smile when he got to the bus. The look on george's face when he hit the line was completely genuine. I do not know if it was shock, relief or a bit of both.

Same here. George is a very cool guy, who has come of age big time, having worked so devotedly for Lance all these past years, he's in a position where if trained right physically and mentally he could very well be a tough TDF contender next year, he is what called an "all arounder", can TT, can sprint, can TTT witht the best and most importanly now, can climb very good. It won't be a Lance, but sure a tough contender who could even match Basso next year. I think he needs to work more on his attitude IF he's to do that, from the "eh, let's see what happens, domestique mentality to the winner, killer instinct mentality of Lance. Basso already have that "killer instinct" look, if you saw his face yesterday leading Armstrong, that's what Georgie needs, the killer punch!

Corsaire

That would be great a TDF with Hincapie and Basso fighting it out. Both these guys are two of my favorite riders.

I had the pleasure of meeting GH and went mtn biking with him once. He's a genuine nice guy. I'm very happy for him.

It was a little dusty in my living room as he came across the line. Such a good guy, so deserving, and what a stage to do it on!

I read an AP/Yahoo article quoting Johann Bruneel may give Hincapie a shot at the Tour de France mailliot jaune in 2006.

I was bouncing up and down on my couch. Lance's story is one of the most incredible ever, but my favorite cyclist is George! I am so damn happy for him. One of my favorite moments from last year's TDF was when George looked back to Lance at the end of a stage inviting him to the front. Apparently he has received some incredibly lucrative offers from other teams, but he defines the word "loyalty." I hope that Lance will push some incredible fianancial rewards across the table to him at the end of the TDF.

Yeah, this win definitely rocks. I've not had the privelege of meeting him (though he did come tearing past me on the bike once--that was interesting!), but from everything Ive heard, including several people I ride with who have met him personally, he's a great guy. And like others have said, he's selflessly served for so long, and always seems to just miss the big wins, so this one is even better.

But yeah, I do think he'd need a bit more of the killer instinct to be a real serious contender for the Tour. Maybe Lance can pass some of that off to him...

I was bouncing up and down on my couch. Lance's story is one of the most incredible ever, but my favorite cyclist is George! I am so damn happy for him. One of my favorite moments from last year's TDF was when George looked back to Lance at the end of a stage inviting him to the front. Apparently he has received some incredibly lucrative offers from other teams, but he defines the word "loyalty." I hope that Lance will push some incredible fianancial rewards across the table to him at the end of the TDF.


Apparently he has received some incredibly lucrative offers from other teams, but he defines the word "loyalty."

You said it... unbelievable...

It would've been nice if Hincapie had taken a few pulls in the breakaway group.

It would've been nice if Hincapie had taken a few pulls in the breakaway group.

Yeah, did he even take one? That was probably the first time he was in a breakaway in his entire career, lol :)


Can anyone elaborate why george always stays in his saddle on climbs unless hes spriting?

It really couldnt have happened to a better man. George deserves every bit of joy from this victory. This has got to be a huge boost for team Disco. Not like they needed one, but a boost none the less. :D

Great ride George!

It would've been nice if Hincapie had taken a few pulls in the breakaway group.

See the thread on this stage where this is much discussed. That was not his job in the breakaway - if he'd pulled, he would be working AGAINST his teammate's yellow jersey.

It would've been nice if Hincapie had taken a few pulls in the breakaway group.

"George was able to sit on throughout the stage, and when you have the yellow jersey on your team, that is your devine right in a breakaway situation... George rode so well..."

Bob Roll on OLN broadcast... lay off the "pull" crap.

I found out about at about stage 5 or 6 of this year's TdF that George lives in my homtown (Greenville, SC). Since then, I've read his bio and became a big fan of his. He'll probably be my favorite once Lance retires. I hope he gets the chance to become the team captain with the type of support Lance currently enjoys. I'm really happy for him. I was hoping that sometime during this year's TdF he would be in the position to win and be given the green light to take it if he could. My wife and I both cheered (she's from Greenville, too) when he crossed the finish.

George didn't take a pull because he would have been pulling the group AWAY from his team captain. That's NOT what he's paid to do. He was there so that if Lance got close, he could drop back some and help him up to the front. But Lance didn't make it and he didn't need to.

Missed yesterday's coverage so I just watched the "encore" coverage on the Only Lance Network....


ROCK ON, GEORGE!

I was jumping up and down so hard I bounced off the wall which prompted a knock on my door from the folks next door (sorry, people!).

Hincapie is so money, baby!

Sure he could go elsewhere but he knows the meaning of pals, and loyalty, and team, and everything else that indicates this man is selfless. And he's modest, too.

George didn't have to pull on the breakaway; he just had to sit on the wheel of the guy in front of him. He did the right thing since his team has the yellow jersey. Besides, he probably had Johan screaming in his earpiece telling him to go for it!

Wish I was on their team bus after that stage! Drinks all around! And a Rolex for George, or something!


Homeboy's a hoss!

Yes.....it was GREAT and well deserved!!

Grats, GH!!!

Few people know though that he's pure Colombian stock, and he can speak spanish perfectly. Colombia seem to have great innate, natural climbing ability in their blood, huh?

Corsaire

I don't think anyone would say Hincapie has great, innate climbing ability.

He was a mediocre climber who's developed into a slightly better than average climber.

That was not his job in the breakaway - if he'd pulled, he would be working AGAINST his teammate's yellow jersey.
Precisely. His job was to guard the break, not put time into Lance.

GH has been slammed countless times for being braindead on tactics. This time he was spot-on.

The best moment of this years tour, IMO, even beating Zabriskies TT.

Missed yesterday's coverage so I just watched the "encore" coverage on the Only Lance Network....


ROCK ON, GEORGE!

I was jumping up and down so hard I bounced off the wall which prompted a knock on my door from the folks next door (sorry, people!).

Hincapie is so money, baby!

Sure he could go elsewhere but he knows the meaning of pals, and loyalty, and team, and everything else that indicates this man is selfless. And he's modest, too.

George didn't have to pull on the breakaway; he just had to sit on the wheel of the guy in front of him. He did the right thing since his team has the yellow jersey. Besides, he probably had Johan screaming in his earpiece telling him to go for it!

Wish I was on their team bus after that stage! Drinks all around! And a Rolex for George, or something!


Homeboy's a hoss!

NICELY SAID WRENCH_MEISTER! I AGREE!

NICELY SAID WRENCH_MEISTER! I AGREE!

haha, yay GH :-D


If the TdF continues DSC will take 2 jerseys, the yellow and white.

Few people know though that he's pure Colombian stock, and he can speak spanish perfectly. Colombia seem to have great innate, natural climbing ability in their blood, huh?

Corsaire

For some reason I thought only his dad was Colombian, but we're talking recollections from when GH was the local star cyclist. I'll bet you're right.

The wife and I were jumping up and down high-fiving when he won. It was awesome! (and yes, cut the "he didn't pull crap" -- I and others have said the reasons in this and other threads)

Chickensh** victory. No way they were going to get caught on the last climb and Johan told him he was on his own at that point. There's little or no nobility in wheelsucking your way to a win like that. Yes, fine, you have a right to sit in if you're defending the yellow jersey, until it becomes clear you're riding for yourself. Then that goes away.

But a year from now who'll remember?

Stupid tactics by Pereiro et al though for dragging him along on the last climb instead of making him choose between working and cheeseballing, though stupid tactics seems to be the most popular form of entertainment at this year's tour.

Now we can have all the dunderheads proclaiming GH as Discovery's TDF guy for 2006...which has already started.

For the record, it's not just us, it's Lance and Johann speculating on his possibilities.

From Velo:
With Armstrong set to retire after the Tour ends on July 24 - regardless of whether he wins a seventh straight title - someone will need to step in as the new Discovery Channel team leader.

Armstrong hinted that the role could go to Hincapie.

"In recent days I've started wondering: 'Why wouldn't George be put in that position?"' asked Armstrong. "He's a complete rider. He can time trial, he can obviously climb, he can ride the first week and stay out of trouble. You never know, I'll talk to him about that."

Hincapie was flattered.

"For Lance and (team director) Johan (Bruyneel) to start saying stuff like that is pretty amazing. Hey, if they want to give me a shot, then I'll do what I can."

Chickensh** victory. No way they were going to get caught on the last climb and Johan told him he was on his own at that point. There's little or no nobility in wheelsucking your way to a win like that. Yes, fine, you have a right to sit in if you're defending the yellow jersey, until it becomes clear you're riding for yourself. Then that goes away.

But a year from now who'll remember?

Stupid tactics by Pereiro et al though for dragging him along on the last climb instead of making him choose between working and cheeseballing, though stupid tactics seems to be the most popular form of entertainment at this year's tour.

Now we can have all the dunderheads proclaiming GH as Discovery's TDF guy for 2006...which has already started.


Good for Hincapie. I believe I read in the Washington Post a quote from George. In it he said that after Johan released him to go for it, he made an agreement with the Phonak guy to share the load, but the tightness of the funnel of fans didn't allow him to pass.
A

This has been an awesome TdF! First big Z, and now my absolute favorite rider, Hincapie!

Few people know though that he's pure Colombian stock, and he can speak spanish perfectly. Corsaire

Phil & Paul, in their commentary during the last 5 km or so, mentioned that the Basques on the mountaintop would be rooting for Pereiro (even though he wasn't Basque) because he was Spanish, but that Hincapie also spoke Spanish.

I did not know it was because he was of Colombian descent.

I think it's great that he gets the reward of a stage win, after all these years of being a Postal & Discovery domestique. It's also appropriate that he be the first Lance domestique to get a stage win, since he's the only one who's been on every one of Lance's TdF teams.

Indeed, his parents came to the States (NY) from Colombia when he was a very young child, that's why he habla ispagnolo. Actually his name in spanish is kind of funny, it means (if my lessons don't let me down) : Hinca = pinch Pie = foot, or "PinchFoot" or "Pinched Foot".

Corsaire :D


Phil & Paul, in their commentary during the last 5 km or so, mentioned that the Basques on the mountaintop would be rooting for Pereiro (even though he wasn't Basque) because he was Spanish, but that Hincapie also spoke Spanish.

I did not know it was because he was of Colombian descent.

I think it's great that he gets the reward of a stage win, after all these years of being a Postal & Discovery domestique. It's also appropriate that he be the first Lance domestique to get a stage win, since he's the only one who's been on every one of Lance's TdF teams.

For the record, it's not just us, it's Lance and Johann speculating on his possibilities.

From Velo:
With Armstrong set to retire after the Tour ends on July 24 - regardless of whether he wins a seventh straight title - someone will need to step in as the new Discovery Channel team leader.

Armstrong hinted that the role could go to Hincapie.

"In recent days I've started wondering: 'Why wouldn't George be put in that position?"' asked Armstrong. "He's a complete rider. He can time trial, he can obviously climb, he can ride the first week and stay out of trouble. You never know, I'll talk to him about that."

Hincapie was flattered.

"For Lance and (team director) Johan (Bruyneel) to start saying stuff like that is pretty amazing. Hey, if they want to give me a shot, then I'll do what I can."

I can only think of maybe three or four dozen better climbers off the top of my head. 40th, 24th, 47th in the previous mountain stages, wheelsucks his way to one mountain stage win in a breakaway. Loses 10 minutes to Vino on Ventoux in the Daupine, finishing 51st with the Gruppetto. But hey, go ahead and ignore the last 6 plus years of results. I loved reading how Cunego was going to wipe up the floor with Lance too. Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, whatever. It's all good.

Unless you've got a spinal injury, you should feel a very strong tug on your leg by the Discovery boys, George included.

I would love to see George get a chance at the TDF as ONE of two protected riders ala Vino and Jan. I would question his ability to deliver the goods in crunch time but I would think that Johan and LA are much better judges of that than any of us. Those of us who think we know better would do well to trust or at least defer to those who are really there and know each other best. If can honestly say this....there are many who would be the first to jump all over George had he taken some pulls and then failed to win....he rode a tactically good race...won on the toughest mountain stage of the tour...rode away from some very good riders. Given the circumstances where he had a good advantage of not needing to pull we shouldn't read too much into it. Also given his history of hard riding and consistent performance don't sell him short...you may be surprised what he could do with total support either as a classics or TDF rider.

Given the circumstances where he had a good advantage of not needing to pull we shouldn't read too much into it. Also given his history of hard riding and consistent performance don't sell him short...you may be surprised what he could do with total support either as a classics or TDF rider.

No, I wouldn't. He's an excellent classics rider, but even with total support in the TDF he's nowhere, unless he gets an 18 minute head start and everybody else to work for him in each mountain stage.

Really, you can't fault Hincapie for sitting in if they let him. Takes two to wheelsuck. The break should have dealt with him on the second to last climb...but again, zero tactics.

Pereiro let him wheel suck because he wanted time. He saw it as his chance to move up the overall nicely. Hincapie knew that an high overall was not what he was going to be known with Lance on his team and his Classics performance, however winning a stage is important to everyone carrer.

Personally I just want to see GH win Paris-Roubaix what could be better.

Pereiro let him wheel suck because he wanted time. He saw it as his chance to move up the overall nicely.

If this was the case he'd have to be a complete idiot. Riddle me this Batman, what's of greater value?

1) Moving up from 20th to 17th in GC (what he got by not sitting around waiting for Lance) or:

2) A STAGE WIN IN THE TOUR DE FREAKING FRANCE.

I've yet to see a rider collapse in tears after moving up to 17th on GC, especially a guy who's going to go backwards in the final TT. The ONLY thing worth anything other than a podium or a jersey is a stage win. He ain't getting any of the former...

If this was the case he'd have to be a complete idiot. Riddle me this Batman, what's of greater value?

1) Moving up from 20th to 17th in GC (what he got by not sitting around waiting for Lance) or:

2) A STAGE WIN IN THE TOUR DE FREAKING FRANCE.

I've yet to see a rider collapse in tears after moving up to 17th on GC, especially a guy who's going to go backwards in the final TT. The ONLY thing worth anything other than a podium or a jersey is a stage win. He ain't getting any of the former...

I did not say he did not want the stage win, but do you really think he knew where he was going to end up in the GC at the end of the day. It is not just about winning the GC high overall has a lot of fame especially when it come to contracts. He also probably knew that GH was fresher no matter what happened on the last climb unless he sat in the whole time that GH was going to beat him, especially considering his specialty. And if I am so wrong why did Pereiro let him wheel suck?

Personally I just want to see GH win Paris-Roubaix what could be better.

Agreed. Classics are his specialty & I think that's what he relishes...

As soon as the break went away, Everyone knew that Hincapie wasn't going to work, they could have sat up and re shuffled the deck, ie, attacked again until they got a combination they wanted.

Ans If you don't drop a 175lb guy on the climb, thats your fault.

so nice i had to watch it twice, fine 3 times.

I was absolutely thrilled to see his victory. He seems to be a genuinely nice guy.
He also showed a lot of poise and patience. I do not know if Lance was sweeping sweat from his eyes while meeting him in the van or if he was a bit emotional. I would be very happy for my teammate if I was in Lance's shoes.

Pereiro didn't really have a choice, did he? Choice A is to let George wheelsuck and get near-certain victory as he smashes the crap out of him in the sprint, and Choice B is to try and force George to the front, George drags the breakaway all the way back to the peloton, and Pereiro STILL doesn't get a stage win. I don't see the stupid tactics here. The only thing he could have done is try and drop Hincapie on a tough part, when his only-decent climbing ability would fail him.

I loved the commentary as they approached the line: "And Hincapie will be winning this stage, I don't see any way that he won't outsprint him, THERE HE GOES." The other guy didn't even try, not worth the energy.

As soon as the break went away, Everyone knew that Hincapie wasn't going to work, they could have sat up and re shuffled the deck, ie, attacked again until they got a combination they wanted.

Ans If you don't drop a 175lb guy on the climb, thats your fault.

Ayup. Ayup. Ayup. Smoothie knows. They had several options to make George work or drop and didn't use any of them. It wasn't like they had Lance or Basso up there.

FYI the teams know EXACTLY where each rider is and where they are "on the road" for GC. College, haven't you ever seen Johan working the radios and TV in the team car? You believe Phonak's DS wasn't talking to him the whole time? Even in smaller pro races that info is constantly flowing over the race radio (I've worked motor escort). He didn't know??????!!!!!! Cripes, even TROUT****** has that info.

If you've got a strong sprinter who is marginal on the climbs you can get together and mount individual attacks, one at a time time and make him at least chase, or sit up and if he doesn't work then you all can drop back. If you're Hincapie you're 99% going to start taking pulls because at least you'll have a shot at a win, vs watching your boss ride by. Calling their bluff isn't to your advantage and you don't think Johan is going to tell him to at least TRY for a stage win?

Repeat: This is a stage win the Tour de France. Not rocketing from 25 to 17th on GC.

Second place and 17th on GC gets you a date with the podium girl's ugly half-sister at best. 17th (and he'll be going backwards) is worth diddly/squat. There ain't a team or rider in the world that wouldn't trade 17th on GC in the TDF for a stage win, period.

Georgie's webpage


http://www.hincapiesports.com/about_us.php



Ayup. Ayup. Ayup. Smoothie knows. They had several options to make George work or drop and didn't use any of them. It wasn't like they had Lance or Basso up there.

FYI the teams know EXACTLY where each rider is and where they are "on the road" for GC. College, haven't you ever seen Johan working the radios and TV in the team car? You believe Phonak's DS wasn't talking to him the whole time? Even in smaller pro races that info is constantly flowing over the race radio (I've worked motor escort). He didn't know??????!!!!!! Cripes, even TROUT****** has that info.

If you've got a strong sprinter who is marginal on the climbs you can get together and mount individual attacks, one at a time time and make him at least chase, or sit up and if he doesn't work then you all can drop back. If you're Hincapie you're 99% going to start taking pulls because at least you'll have a shot at a win, vs watching your boss ride by. Calling their bluff isn't to your advantage and you don't think Johan is going to tell him to at least TRY for a stage win?

Repeat: This is a stage win the Tour de France. Not rocketing from 25 to 17th on GC.

Second place and 17th on GC gets you a date with the podium girl's ugly half-sister at best. 17th (and he'll be going backwards) is worth diddly/squat. There ain't a team or rider in the world that wouldn't trade 17th on GC in the TDF for a stage win, period.

As soon as the break went away, Everyone knew that Hincapie wasn't going to work, they could have sat up and re shuffled the deck, ie, attacked again until they got a combination they wanted.

Ans If you don't drop a 175lb guy on the climb, thats your fault.


Word! Not just a 175lb guy but on one of the toughest climbs of the whole TdF.

Pereiero tried to drop George just like he'd dropped everyone else. When he couldn't do it, he was in a bad spot. Now all of the jokers out there are whinning about George not pulling. :cry: For GH to have done anything thing else on that climb would have been stupid tactics. All of this "fair share" and "ethics of cycling nonsense. It's a race after all. And that's racing.