Originally posted by roadbuzz
Consider, Hincapie's getting up there in years, and *does* have his own cycling career. Riding a grand tour this close to the worlds is already impacting his chances, IMO.
The main place where he might provide assistance is in a team TT... I think those are over with. He can't really provide tempo for Heras in the mountains. Finally, it's not entirely his decision... I'm sure Bruyneel had input.
Exactly. George did more than his share of work and like you said, he's not really an assett to Heras in the climbs. Beltran is more than capable of pacing and helping Roberto.
And if Lance wasn't on Postal, George still wouldn't quit the TDF. I'm willing to bet that if Lance had done the Vuleta that George still would have gone home. The TDF is just so much bigger than the Vuelta that no one would voluntarily quit. Well, that is unless you're an italian sprinter.