CYCLING

A Giro Champion Revisited: Andy Hampsten's Vision for Pro Cycling

By The Outer Line

As the decisive mountain stages of this exciting 100th running of the Giro d’Italia unfold, we pause to reflect on a truly gifted climber, Andy Hampsten, the only U.S. rider to have won the race. Iconic images of Hampsten powering over the Gavia in a raging blizzard reappear each May, reminding and challenging younger U.S. riders to match his achievement - and perhaps join Hampsten as one of the American greats.

Hampsten is also a very perceptive observer of the sport and 21 years after retiring, he remains a steadfast supporter of pro cycling. When The Outer Line spoke with him a couple years ago, we said, “Hampsten is a modest and self-effacing former racer, but he wears his enthusiasm and love of the sport on his sleeve.” His ideas on what pro cycling should be doing - around rider safety, post-career athlete support, and the whole doping dilemma - are perhaps even more relevant today. During a slow moment in the Giro coverage, take a moment to read this interview and discover another side of this astute and insightful champion.