TRAVELERS REST, SC -- Tour de France cyclist George Hincapie is riding into retirement.
The Charlotte Observer reports that Hincapie rode into the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains on Saturday, surrounded by thousands of fellow cyclists and supporters. Rich Hincapie said he hopes his brother's retirement ride continues as an annual charity event.
Hincapie is a Charlotte native who now lives in Greenville. A professional cyclist for 19 years, he gained fame as part of the cycling team that helped Lance Armstrong to seven straight Tour de France titles.
Armstrong was banned for life and stripped of his seven Tour de France titles due to extensive evidence that he used performance-enhancing drugs. Earlier this month, Hincapie said in a statement on his website that he had also previously used performance-enhancing drugs.