Image via Wikipedia

George Hincapie was the super-domestique for Lance Armstrong throughout his seven Tour de France wins. Until 2005, he hadn’t won a stage of the Grande Tour, but since then he has had a good showing each year, even wearing the maillot jaune in 2006.

Being a fine time trialer, recently proving he was a good climber and a pretty good all-round rider, why then, does George get left in lieutenant role?

Team Columbia has put forward Kim Kirchen as the captain and team General Classification hopeful, relegating George to the second fiddle again. George is not the spring chicken he used to be. He is quickly approaching being the most senior man on the Tour and with each year, his chances of winning are becoming slimmer.

I know there are plenty of riders who float below the surface of the winners podium, but George has been one of the most consistent riders, improving his final place on the leader board each year. I hate to see “Big George” relegated to being the forever bridesmaid.