Sports Illustrated has picked a “Sportsman of the Year” since it first began publishing in 1954. SI columnist Trisha Blackmar backs pro cyclist George Hincapie for the award in 2005.
She cites the difficulties of the sport of cycling, the American's achievements this year and the teamwork that exemplifies Hincapie's attitude when it comes to his team's boss, Lance Armstrong.
She writes:
“You are one of the fittest athletes in the world, so of course, you have some individual success, away from the media glare. But when the spotlight shines the brightest, your efforts serve to put someone else on the podium.”
Hincapie's accomplishments are legion this year, highlighted by his Tour de France stage victory on Stage 15, the 127-mile route over six mountain passes in the Pyrenees. In doing so, he became the 8th US cyclist to win a Tour de France stage. Among others, he joins Armstrong and Greg Lemond as stage winners; Armstrong also won the SI award in 2002 and Lemond won in 1989.
Hincapie, 32, has been riding Armstrong in all of this seven Tour de France victories, on both the US Postal Service and the Discovery Channel Pro Cycling teams.
Blackmar also recalls the parade in his honor in his hometown of Greenville, S.C.
“Despite this success you remain the all-around nice guy you've always been. The same guy who granted an interview to a reporter while roaming the aisles of a French supermarket, hungry and no doubt bone tired after a hard day of training.”
Best of luck to Hincapie. My vote is certainly with him.
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