Next target for Hincapie: Amstel

After proving his great form at Paris-Roubaix, where he finished second, Discovery Channel's George Hincapie received high approval from his team management. "It was one of George's best days - he didn't do one thing wrong on the bike," directeur sportif Dirk Demol said on thepaceline.com.

"Usually afterwards, you say 'well, we could have done this or should have done that.' But today, he rode the perfect race. The only issue was Boonen. After the race, (George) felt the same as me - happy with being second and reaching the podium in one of the biggest races in the world, but on the other side, feeling again - so close at Roubaix. He also realized he didn't do anything wrong today and that he knew he gave it all he could," Demol added. With Lance Armstrong taking the start at the Tour de Georgia as of Tuesday, April 19, Hincapie will be participating in the upcoming Dutch classic Amstel Gold race next Sunday.

"George is the leader of the team and he's in great shape," said Johan Bruyneel. "He's never done very well in the few times he has taken part in the race because it used to be the last race of the spring. Now, I think he's fresher at this stage as he was out for a longer time with his illness. I think he can do a good race. He's in good shape, both mentally and physically."

Taking the start for the Discovery Channel team will be: Volodymyr Bileka, Ryder Hesjedal, George Hincapie, Benoit Joachim, Benjamin Noval, Pavel Padrnos, Jurgen Van den Broeck and Max van Heeswijk.