American rider enjoying buildup to new season, will make decision about future later in year

Although he was initially expected to stop at the end of 2011 and then later decided to race this season, George Hincapie isn’t ruling out being part of the peloton next year either.



The 38 year old BMC Racing Team rider is about to start what will be his nineteenth season in the peloton. He’ll make his year debut in the Strade Bianche race in Italy on March 3rd, then continue to race in top events after that.



All going to plan, he’ll make the BMC Racing Team selection for the Tour de France, setting what would be an absolute record of seventeen starts in the Tour de France.



Speaking to VeloNation yesterday evening, the American said that he has made no decisions yet about his future. Although indications last year suggested that 2012 would be his last, he’s not saying that now.



“I am kind of on a month to month basis,” he revealed. “I am just really focussed on the now. This team is so cool…it has been a real pleasure just riding with them, the best riders in the world.



“For me, it is so exciting to see how far this team has come. I know I have played a big part in how big it has become, so right now I just want to enjoy that.



“I’ll make a proper decision and announcement sometime in the middle or towards the end of the year.”



Like 40 year old Jens Voigt, Hincapie is one of the oldest riders in the peloton and also one who has enjoyed a lot of support from the public. As is the case with the German, he had a lot of personal success earlier in his career but also was prepared to sacrifice his own ambitions in order to help others.



And, like Voigt, he’s settled more and more into the latter role as time has passed. He helped Cadel Evans to win the Tour de France in 2011 and wants to do the same in 2012; he also wants to back new signings Philippe Gilbert and Thor Hushovd in the spring Classics and other races.



“I have enjoyed spending time with them and I am really looking forward to racing with them,” he said.



If things go well and he’s still enjoying his role in several months as much as he is now, it appears that there is a chance he’ll be part of the pro peloton next year as well.





A full interview with George Hincapie is coming shortly to VeloNation.