Colorado applauds Hincapie into retirement

Hincapie ended his tenure in cycling as he did throughout the majority his career, riding in service of the young talent on his BMC team, including stage winner Taylor Phinney and race runner up Tejay van Garderen.

Post-race Hincapie admitted to feeling emotional in the time trial start gate, and at the finish acknowledged the Denver crowd as his 19-year professional career came to an end.

Thank you Colorado for the send off, and thanks to all my family , friends and fans for always being there for me.

— ghincapie (@ghincapie) August 27, 2012

Hincapie, who started a record 17 Tours de France, finishing a record tying 16, said he was a little emotional before rolling down the start ramp.

"It's been a long career for me, a good career and I'm proud of it, I'm sad to leave, but at the same time, I'm excited to spend more time with my family and start a new life."

Hincapie was a key player in nine Tour de France titles, first working in the service of Lance Armstrong and his now disputed seven titles, then the first for Australia’s Cadel Evans, who was in the team car shepherding Hincapie through his last ride as a professional.

In the Bmc race car-following the @ghincapie for his last race....what an honour! #imthemechanic 😳 #uspcc

— Cadel Evans (@CadelOfficial) August 26, 2012

A strong classics performer, the three-time U.S. national road-race champion tried valiantly to win the Paris-Roubaix, but bad luck often saw his efforts thwarted. His 2nd place in 2005 remains the best performance there by an American.