Those who know Hincapie say his role in the case goes against everything ingrained in him as a gregario, which, in cycling terms, is a rider who sacrifices himself in the service of the team leader by doing things like sheltering that rider from the wind or protecting him from attacks.īob Stapleton, former owner of HTC-Highroad, a squad for which Hincapie used to ride, said it would be “a terrible conflict” for Hincapie to testify against a teammate. The agency said it had 10-plus riders whose testimony would bolster its case, but what sets Hincapie apart from some others who have given evidence - like Floyd Landis and Tyler Hamilton - is that Hincapie is not among those who have publicly admitted they used performance-enhancing drugs.

If he is asked to testify before an arbitration panel and declines, however, he could face a stiffer punishment.īecause the antidoping agency does not have an outright failed drug test on which to hang its argument that Armstrong had doped, testimony like Hincapie’s will be crucial to its case. If he has, he could receive a reduced suspension, rather than the usual two-year ban for a first-time offender.

It is not clear whether Hincapie has admitted doping while helping uncover the principals in a larger plot. Hincapie is likely to know more about the behind-the-scenes activity on Armstrong’s squads than any other rider he was the only one to be at Armstrong’s side for all seven of his Tour victories. If Hincapie does testify, it has the potential to be one of the starkest, most jarring revelations in a sport known for its code of silence regarding doping. He faces a lifetime ban from Olympic sports and the loss of his Tour titles. Armstrong’s lawyers have filed a federal lawsuit to stop the antidoping agency from moving forward with punishing him. The details of what Hincapie, 39, told antidoping authorities remains a mystery - though it could become public if Armstrong’s doping case goes to arbitration. “There are certain riders who, you know, ooze respect, and George is one of them,” said Stuart O’Grady, an Australian rider who has raced against Hincapie for about 20 years. Last month, the agency charged Armstrong and several of his associates with doping violations.

According to people with knowledge of the case, Hincapie has told the United States Anti-Doping Agency about systematic doping on Armstrong’s teams, of which Armstrong played a part. Because Hincapie is considered a credible and reluctant witness, his testimony could be the most damaging evidence against Armstrong, who is accused of doping and playing a key role in a vast doping conspiracy.

Every Second Counts by Lance Armstrong