Hincapie ponders end of Armstrong era

Meanwhile, George Hincapie is wondering how things will change after July 29, the day Lance Armstrong retires. Hincapie, who has ridden with Armstrong through all six of the Texan's Tour de France victories, told Reuters, "I don't know what it will be like without him. Very different for sure.

"Every time a young rider fares well, people say he's the new Lance Armstrong. But there's only one Lance Armstrong and there will not be a rider of the same calibre in the next century."

Nevertheless, Hincapie showed his own calibre when he won Sunday's prologue of the Dauphiné. "It was the first time I have beaten Lance in a time-trial. It's very special," said Hincapie. "I felt good, in the right tempo from the start and I rode it for myself, not to pave the way for Lance."