The Other American

Today, in the Tour de France, an American won the most difficult stage of the race. And it wasn't Lance Armstrong.

Meet George Hincapie, age 33, teammate of Lance Armstrong, who found himself in a breakaway today and then watched as everyone else in the break bonked and went by the wayside. This was his first stage win after 10 years of riding in the Tour, the last 6 as Lance's valet.

Hincapie was overcome with emotion as he crossed the line. For most cyclists a Tour stage win would be the crowning achievement of their career. But to win this stage, with its four Category 1 climbs and beyond-category climb to the finish, is just incredible (see elevation chart below).



Hincapie has been a great rider of classics in Europe: This year he was the first American to stand on the winners' podium of the Paris-Roubaix, a race known as the "Sunday in Hell". He also won the San Francisco Grand Prix in 2001. Here he is zooming up Taylor Street - notice he hasn't bothered to shift down from the big chainring in front...



UPDATE - Lance on George: "Consider what George does in cycling," Armstrong said. "He was second at Paris-Roubaix. He goes over the top of the (Col du) Galibier with all the favorites. He wins Pla d'Adet -- an uphill finish with six categorized climbs today. Nobody has done that since (Eddy) Merckx and (Bernard) Hinault [both 5x Tour champions], so the guy is one of the best riders in cycling. Period. I'm so proud of him."