George Hincapie Interview
This past weekend George Hincapie and his brother Rich flew up to New York to take part in a fund raising weekend for I Challenge Myself. I Challenge Myself (ICM) challenges and supports youth from under-served communities of New York City to become physically active healthy adults and skilled active citizens and leaders. ICM gets these kids on Bikes and gives them an opportunity to experience a positive and healthy activity which builds confidence and a more promising future for them.
Alex had the great idea of creating a charity ride where people would pay to ride with George, with the proceeds going to ICM. There was also a fantastic reception at Cadence, which attracted an eclectic crew eager to meet George. Both events turned out to be a great success- fun was had all around and money was raised for a great cause!
Well, Someone had to pick up the Hincapie brothers from the Airport on Friday, and Alex couldn't think of anyone better than myself and Cadence manager Jed Kornbluh.
As I'm a bit of a fanboy, I jumped at the chance to spend some time with George and ask him a few questions while driving back from the airport. For anyone who's expecting the standard questions one asks a pro cyclist, go here. Everyone else should know I've got the journalistic integrity of Girls Gone Wild...
CJ: How was your past season? What were some highlights for you and were there any frustrating or disappointing parts?
GH: There was a bit of everything. A highlight was winning the last stage of the Tour of Cali. I crashed pretty bad in the first stage. I had a concussion, so for the first three stages I wasn't feeling great at all. It took me 'till the last stage to feel normal and I won that stage, which was good.
And the Classics were good- I was fifth in the Tour of Flanders, and then obviously Roubaix was a huge disappointment; I flatted right at a crucial time in the race, so that was a bit of a disappointment. The Tour was good- the team was really successful; we won more stages than any other team there, so we were really happy with the way it went. I would have loved to have won that stage were i was in a breakaway, but i really misjudged the descent and lost my chance there.
CJ: How have you liked riding with Team Columbia? Is the culture and dynamic a departure from prior teams and if so, how?
GH: Well I've only been on one (pro) team my whole life- but sure, there are alot of younger riders from Columbia- when i first went on the team i would almost say they weren't very serious just the way their attitude was. But as i got to know them I realized that they're really serious, they just like to have alot of fun. They always joking around and playing so to speak. It's fun to be around them especially before the race and after the race- whether we win or lose there's always someone joking around and everybody's always laughing.
CJ: How has it been racing with someone like Cavendish who's turned out to be quite a star at the finish line in terms of field sprints? How does the team play off of both his strengths and yours?
GH: He's awesome- he's one of the best cyclists I've ever seen. He's a huge, huge engine. He's a great guy and we're really good friends. I think we work together really well and you can always rely on Cavendish. I remember at the Tour of Missouri he lost the last stage; it was almost like it was a bit of a shock to him- he didn't know what happened. He was really apologetic, but you can't win every stage. He really has come through this year for us.
CJ: In terms of One-day Classics- you're known as a strong contender. Those seem to be your favorite races but at the same time, as epic as they are, they seem to be pretty frustrating given how much crap can go on. Is Paris-Roubaix still your top race for the upcoming season and how do you prep for it?
GH: It's definitely still my top race- probably more than ever, since I've only got a couple shots left. It's a huge goal of mine and really training is the same- it starts right about now: I start riding my bike and do alot of mountain biking. Doing alot of long distance rides until december and january roll around. It's hard to training for cobble stones; you can't really do any of that here, or even if you had them i don't know if I would do them since they're so rough on your body. It's just something you either like or you don't like
CJ: I would guess that it's also pretty rough on the equipment...
GH: Yeah, definitely
CJ: So on the days leading up to a big one day race, is the carbo loading insane?
GH: I would say the day before, not really the days before. The day before you just eat tons of pasta or rice, and also the morning of as well.
CJ: Do you eat bacon?
GH: Now I do, yeah. Not during the season, though.
CJ: What was a bigger accomplishment for you: getting the Yellow Jersey in the Tour for those couple of days or placing 2nd at Paris-Roubaix?
GH: I would say getting second at Roubaix just because the Roubaix is the hardest race out there, in my opinion. I probably received alot more exposure from getting the yellow jersey, but personally i would say 2nd at the Roubaix.
CJ: Do they let you keep the Yellow Jersey?
GH: Yeah...
CJ: Do you wear it around the house or ever wear it on rides and then people say "look at the fred, where did he buy that from?"
GH: Ha, no- i've never worn it since. I've got it framed back at my house.
CJ: So you got your start by bike racing in New York City and I think alot of New York City bike racers can identify with that. How was your progression starting out? How did it lead to something on the pro level?
GH: It was pretty simple- i would just race Central Park and Prospect park on the weekends. When I was twelve years old I would only ride with the older guys. New york has a huge cycling community- People who aren't from here don't understand how many cyclists there are and how much cycling experience there is. People from all different countries who grew up racing their bikes and know all about it, and we were always fortunate to have people around us who knew alot about the sport and they were always willing to help you.
CJ: What was your favorite local race growing up here?
GH: I would say Bear Mountain
CJ: Did you win it?
GH: Yeah.
CJ: Definitely NOT one of my favorite races... Ok- here's one of my two lance questions: What do you think about his come back? Is it going to be odd to be racing against him for once?
GH: I was suprised about his comeback- I knew pretty early on as he was talking to me during the Tour de France. I was suprised but then he explained the reasons and I understand it alot more now. It's going to be tough- i mean, I've never raced against him, so It's going to be really awkward racing against him
Jed Kornbluh: You guys have been together since the US National team right?
GH: Yeah, since '91.
CJ: So a few weeks ago he tried cyclocross in Vegas. Have you ever tried 'cross? How many pros do you know that race 'cross?
GH: I don't know that many pros on the road that race 'cross. I've tried cross as a junior. Growing up here there was of course the Kissena Velodrome 'cross race- we used to do that every year. Then I got 4th at Nationals as a Junior in Massachussetts.
CJ: Because We're going to a race on Sunday if you want to come- you can borrow my bike: it's a 49cm, but we could put a longer stem on it no problem.
CJ: Do you use embrocation?
GH: Nope
CJ: Did you read that article that Dave Z wrote about Chamois cream? he wrote an article going into graphic detail about what sort of stuff he uses to prevent and take care of saddle sores...
GH: Did he tell you what he wanted to call the Women's Version of DZ Nuts? DZ Lips!
CJ: Ha! I like it. That would sell... What do you use?
GH: I don't...
CJ: you don't use ANY chamois cream? That's a taint of steel, right there...
GH: I'll use it occasionally like in a long time trial or a race like roubaix or if i feel like i'm getting torn up down there. But normally i don't use anything. I think if you have the proper chamois- Dave probably won't like me saying this- but you probably dont need it that much.
CJ: What was it like racing with him? I'm sure you have some funny stories about him:
GH: He's awesome. We were actually making fun of him at the Olympics because he didn't want to go back to Europe to race - he's racing right now- he didnt' race all year. We were talking about your site (VCN) and it came up how he would end up being a guest writer for you guys, that way he didnt have to race...
CJ: I guess it would pay the bills, except not at all...
CJ: Ok, Lightning round...
CJ: Favorite Band?
GH: Guns N' Roses.
CJ: NICE. Favorite food?
GH: Italian.
CJ: Favorite Pork-based Product?
GH: Bacon.
CJ: Sweeet. Favorite Beer?
GH: Yuengling.
CJ: Ding Ding! Favorite TV Show?
GH: 24
CJ: Obama or McCain?
GH: Obama
CJ: Campy/Shimano/Sram? i guess that just depends on who's paying you to use it...
GH: Shimano.
CJ: Did you like Dave Zabriskie's mustache?
GH: Hated it.
CJ: Would you grow a mustache?
GH: Never!
Another Big Thanks to George and Rich for coming out and spending the weekend with their fans in NYC! We hope you guys can come back next year!
