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It's Grand Tour season in the cycling world, with the Giro d'Italia and La Vuelta Femenina taking place in May, but it's always Grand Tour time in Greenville, South Carolina. The trio of former road pros George Hincapie, Bobby Juric and Christian Vande Velde all call this small southern city home, with the community tagging them as Grand Tour legends and the riders… He has competed in the Giro, Tour de France and Tour de France 59 times. Vuelta a España.
They have never been on the same trade team at the same time, each building their own Palmea through European races and the Olympics. They were also part of a generation of professional cyclists caught up in confessions to using banned substances at some point in their careers. They have had successful careers in coaching, broadcasting, and entrepreneurship.
All remain close to racing, this spring the trio will play “legends” who inspire young people to ride and race, and support the local community by supporting the inaugural Greenville Cycling Classic. has created a new opportunity to give back.
“The most important thing is to have events like this, big community events that bring a lot of people downtown. It motivates the kids. All the kids here tonight are showing that. You look at it and you're probably saying, 'That's really cool, I want to do that,''' said Hincapie, who has competed in the Tour de France 14 times. cycling news. “I think events like this will help get kids involved in sports.”
The Greenville Cycling Classic took shape just six months ago, becoming the leadoff event for the 2024 USA Speed Week race series. He will hold eight events in 11 days in three southern states of the United States. After 20 years of grassroots efforts to host a criterium apart from several years of U.S. Pro Road Championships, Hincapie felt it was time to reinvigorate the community.
“For Americans, crits are like the foundation of cycling. I grew up racing crits. If you can get talented kids who are good at crits, they can go on to other things. Obviously. “The ultimate goal is European road racing, but this is a great way to start,” he said.
The trio of legends are all Greenville residents, with Vande Velde and Urich moving here eight years ago, and are connected to the EF Education-ONTO development team. Vande Velde as an officer, Urich as a “cheerleader” and Hincapie as his connection. His family's apparel business serves as the apparel sponsor, and his son Enzo is also a member of the team.
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“I first came to Greenville for the 2007 National Championship, but little did I know that I would become a resident of this great town in 2016,” said Jurich, who finished third in the 1998 Tour de France GC. I didn't expect that,” he said.
“George, Christian, and I try to ride our bikes five or six days a week. And these kids watch us do it. We're listening and we have a reference point. There's a lot of people here who race bikes. So here in Greenville, it's not just the three of us.”
He talked about how the EF Education-ONTO development team, now in its 10th year, has been providing young riders with a way to learn about road racing. With over 150 members, the Supra Cycling Club also has the opportunity to welcome new riders.
“Riding a bike isn't easy and it's a pain. And when you're young and don't know why you're doing it, it doesn't make sense. Here with EF [devo team]what they created has a lot of exposure. [The young riders] We are watching the activities of current professionals. They have a reference point from us retired professionals and they just do their job and have fun together. That's the key to success. You'll want to ride with kids your own age. ”
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Vande Velde agreed that for junior riders, it's best to race with their peers. He is also on the board of ONTO, and team director Rusty Miller said the former pro brings a “world of experience” to the team, and whether that path leads to a career in pro cycling or not, he is “a leader in young people's journeys.” He admitted that he cared deeply. Something else.
“It’s great to have the Greenville Cycling Classic in our backyard for talent development,” Vande Velde said. cycling news. “Everyone needs a mentor to get started. Join a club or a core group where you get mentored. There are so many different avenues these days besides racing.”
The 10-time Tour de France veteran, who achieved a career-best 4th place overall at the 2008 Tour, said there is so much technology available that riders need to perform at a high level. He said he was able to learn a lot of the necessary indicators. . But Vande Velde says the best way to get young people interested in racing as a career is to “race bikes and prove yourself to others.” He added.
“That's why races like the Greenville Cycling Classic help continue the growth of prominent racers in the United States, much like we see in Europe today.” And not just with Enzo, but with his parents. Even for the younger kids who got to run around the course, race and in turn get to see riders like Enzo and Gray. [Barnett]They want to see members of their community perform at a high level and be like them. ”
Before professional racing took center stage, cyclists of all ages and abilities took part in the Tour de France Legends Ride, a free 20-minute session donned in street clothes and led by the legend himself. Vande Velde and Julich rode e-bike shares, while Hincapie rode a mountain bike.
One local recreational cyclist said this legendary ride was suitable for him and his family to scout the 1km, 6-corner route and later watch professional races or witness crashes. Not only did it give me a way to find a place where I could go, but it also gave me the inspiration to: Add racing to his bucket list.
“I started at the back, and as I moved from the back to the front, people got younger and younger. There were older people in the back, some on folding bikes. I noticed that there were people around my age or younger, who probably don't like riding in groups. [20s to 40s]. Then, in front of George, it was very noticeable – all children. They were trying to follow George,” Greenville resident Alex Dresko told Cycling News.
“Bobby and Christian were riding electric bikes, which was very interesting, and I saw them interacting with people. George was talking to all the kids.
“I did nine or 10 laps. It was a chance to be in a big group and experience a critical track. I'm not super fast, but it gave me confidence to do a Cat 5 race.”
