This past weekend of racing in the Pyrenees was absolutely incredible. Saturday and Sunday consisted of hot temperatures and grueling climbs through the spectacular Pyrenees Mountains.

Each climb is categorized, from Category 4 (the easiest) to hors categorie, or beyond categorization, the hardest.

George Totschnig (Gerolsteiner) and George Hincapie (Discovery) proved to the world that they are in their prime. Both of these riders have been pro since 1994 and have never won a stage in the Tour de France.

Though Saturday’s stage 14 brought forth many champions I will focus my attention on the 36 year old Austrian, Georg Totschnig, from team Gerolsteiner. He broke away from the group at 20k and remained out front for the remaining 200k to Ax-3 Domaines. He came in 56 seconds before Armstrong and collapsed in ecstasy. It was so incredible to see the excitement in this man. The tears just rolled down his face on the podium. I wanted to hug him of course.

Sunday’s stage 15 brought the Tour the hardest day of climbing over this 3 week race. There were 4 Cat 1 climbs ending with a HC climb to the finish in Saint-Lary Soulan. At 28k of this 205k-day 12 riders broke away from the main field. 34-year-old American, George Hincapie (Discovery) was in this breakaway group.

I kind of decided on my own to go on my own in one of these breaks, get a gap, and be there when Lance needed me,” said Hincapie on his earlier motives. “But we ended up getting 18 minutes and once Johan saw that, he said: ‘Listen George, you’re probably not going to come back here now, you can do your own race.’ From then on, I started thinking about the win and thinking it was possible, and for it to work out is a dream come true. (cyclingnews.com)

This man has been Lance’s right hand man and best friend for many years. He has worked hard to help get Lance to the podium in Paris. Today was big Georgie’s day. His final sprint to the line brought chills. This sport is absolutely incredible and these athletes are amazing.

HINCAPIE PHOTOS

As I get a bit older I get a taste every so often of what it is like to succeed at something you have worked so hard for. With age we gain more experience and with that we all get our turn. A big salute to the Georges.