Hometown hero George Hincapie, probably the most-experienced US cyclist competing today, won the National Road Race Championship on Sunday in Greenville, South Carolina.
He last earned the red, white and blue jersey in 2006, also in Greenville.
The 36-year-old cyclist for Team Columbia was part of an eight-man break that formed late in the 100-mile bike race around Greenville.
The route included four ascents of Paris Mountain, a ridge north of town that Hincapie has inserted into his local training rides for years.
When it came to the finish, VeloNews reports that Hincapie still had enough pop in the legs to beat Andrew Bajadali after the two passed Jeff Louder less than a mile from the end of the bike race.
Amazing career
Hincapie has been a pro since 1994 when he started with Motorola. He has 14 Tours de France under his belt and is know as the only cyclist to support Lance Armstrong in all 7 of his Tour de France victories.
He first won the stars and stripes in 1998 at the national pro championships when they were held in Philadelphia. He won again in 2006, the first year the event moved to Greenville.
You could say cycling is part of his private life as well. He married former Tour de France “podium girl” Melanie Simonneau and they have two children. He and his brother also own and operate Hincapie Sportswear, which makes cycling fashions.
See all the bike race results at VeloNews.
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