The day after my ride with the legend -- Joe had his own brush with celebrity and another American Legend. And funny -- neither Joe or I had a camera ready with our brush with celebrity. Fortunately for Joe his was caught on camera by a spectator across the way.
Joe brushed up against the new US Pro Champion -- George Hincapie. And let me tell you -- George is one of the most handsome, sexiest cyclists out there! Check out Joe leaning over -- Logan attached to his neck -- patting George on the back -- Way to go George!!! Way to position yourself Joe!
Here is Joe's blow by blow account:
"There was a group of 9 riders that was 30 seconds ahead of the next group at the start. By lap 4, they were over 45 seconds ahead. There was one team that had 2 riders in the lead pack, and everyone else was on their own. It sounded like the trail pack had a lot of tough riders in it, because the announcer kept talking about how they would have to keep the pace so they wouldn’t catch them if they wanted to win.
On the last lap, one guy from the team that had the 2 riders broke out front. He was some young rider that seemed to be fairly new to the tour. They were trying to determine if it was a strategy to wear everyone else down so the other could win, but they decided he was going for broke to win it all. With 1km left, he was still in the lead by about 8 seconds (maybe 5 by that point). It seemed as though he was going to win. George and another guy broke loose and caught him, and then it was a 3 way sprint to the finish. Everyone was going nuts for George to win, obviously. When he pulled it off his hands went in the air and the whole town went nuts. It was so loud. People were running into the street to go congratulate him. Motorcycles and sag vehicles came to screeching halts. I think they all expected it. No one could get through. The back riders made it through because George went through about 100 yards – right where we were standing. I made Vicki proud – I was one of those idiots out in the street. I figured I had to. Everyone else was storming out there. I think I was one of the first, if not the first to pat him on the back and give the high five. His brother might have beat me there, but it was close. He came to a dead halt, and we got mobbed. I was holding Logan. His eyes were rather big from all the commotion. I had Rylie to, but handed her off to Falicia, as she wasn’t impressed. It was very cool. Everyone was screaming and cheering, snapping pictures (except me, we’ve already gone over that…)
Logan did love watching the race. I asked them if they wanted to watch the race when we got downtown, and they both said “YEAH!!!!” We got up right on the road after the finish line, and he cheered and clapped every time the riders came by. Police cars with their lights on, motorcycles, speeding cars, helicopters overhead, and bikes. This was a great day for a 4 year old. Finished it off with a little pizza to boot. What a day."
"It's very emotional for me… it's my hometown. I always tell everybody how great this city is. Not even winning, but just having the national championships here in my hometown is special. But to be able to win with all that pressure, I mean, I had the whole city wanting me to win (and it) is a great feeling once it's done," an elated Hincapie said, surrounded by his entire family.
George is a fantastic cyclist -- he was the only teammate present for all seven of Lance's Tour de France victories (check out the wall in the background of the photo below). This year he served as a mentor to the outstanding sprinter Mark Cavendish -- helping him win the sprinters classic Milan San Remo and riding the last stages of the Tour de France with a broken collarbone because he wanted to help Mark with on the Champs-Élysées -- one of the most coveted sprint wins in professional cycling. Now that is one tough cyclist!
Fortunately for me, because of Joe (love ya Joe!) I was able to score a wristband to go to George's after race party last year. And Joe got me introduced to George, got a picture and an autograph. Wow what a great day that was!
Great Job George! Can't wait to see him in his Stars and Stripes jersey with his new team BMC next year!
You've taught the next generation VC, now Joe is initiating Logan into the proper way to position oneself:) Hope Logan remembers HIS camera, batteries...
ReplyDeleteSomehow, reading what I write isn't quite as entertaining as reading what you write. I'm not quite as eloquent.
ReplyDeleteAs for training Logan, it must be working. He just said to me, "what's that noise?" Then he farted. He makes me a proud father. (I thought Vicki would enjoy that one)
Ahhh -- You've raised that boy right Joe -- darn good job!!!
ReplyDeleteWhere did I go wrong???
ReplyDelete