George Hurst retired early from his job as a Marketing Executive for the U.S. Postal Service in 2007 to chase new opportunities in Belgium with his wife Jane and their teenage son. For several years he was very involved in the USPS’s cycling sponsorship efforts, and in fact was head of it for the 2001 season. He loves to brag that teaming up with Lance and the ‘Blue Train’ was arguably the most successful sports sponsorship of all time and easily the most exciting time of his long and successful career. He’s an avid cyclist and a more avid fan often dragging his family all over Belgium and France to catch as many of the races as he can.
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George, I want to congratulate you on such a passionate article that should motivate everyone to join in the sport of cycling. I know that the Tour of California drew probable twice as many newcomers to the event with Lance being there. The hill climbs were littered with LANCE in the road.
Keep up the fight!
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Jeff, thx for the kind words and the insight on the fan’s involvement. I think you’re exactly right. More people are going to follow the races this next year than ever before – worldwide. It’s as if Tiger or Federer made a comeback. If the top riders were honest, they’d admit that they initially thought this past year’s comeback was a sideshow, a distraction. Now? I hear a little fear in their voice.
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I didn’t know you were a staff writer, there isn’t a better writer for Team RadioShack Cycling News. I read a lot of your articles an they are great. Yes, a lot of good bike riders do come out of Belgium. Good luck with this, I know you will do great.
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George,
Great article on Levi Liepheimer! I love reading about passionate and accomplished cyclists – it inspires me on my daily 16 mile cycle commute to work. As a commuter in the U.S., I am noticing the growth in cycling here that is no doubt a result of the Tour de France excitement created by Lance and the Postal team in early 2000! Thanks for your service to U.S. cycling and keep up the good work in promoting this great worldwide tradition!
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Thx for the kind words guys. It inspires us more to write about these inspiring athletes. Pls keep reading.
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Is Zubeldia still on the roster? If so, isn’t he a Spainard as well (along with Irizar and Rubiera)? Thanks, George
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Hi Jim, you are right. Haimar Zubeldia is on the team, and the Irizar profile has been updated.
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Chris was born in Okinawa Japan as you have him being born in Bend. Thanks!
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Hola George,
Thanks for the great coverage of the Tour. The prerace interview and photo w Johan was awesome.
I’m currious, how r u viewing the race? Driving yourself from spot to spot? Or riding in a car w other journalists.
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Hey George
Just wanted to comment on such a brilliantly written article “Heart Break in the Alps”. I dont think anyone could capture the pain that i was feeling as i watched those events unfold and willed Lance on maybe more than Phil Ligget was – and man was he ever!
It kills me that you have been that close to Lance, he was here in Cape Town, SA this year and it was a dream come true to have him race our biggest race.
Keep the articles coming, your tone, style and passion is unmatched, and you are one writer who shares my love of Lance.
Thank you.
Carla
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I was watching as Andy was pulling away from Alberto and , from what i can tell Andys chain slipped from the (Small?) ring and was caught between the small and big rings.
My question is. did Andy put so much pressure on the chain ring that it flexed to the point that the chain came off?
This isn’t a RadioShack question per say but has it happened to the Radioshack team where they put so much force on the chain ring and frame they warp it enough to kick off the chain?
Trek may want to take note of that little ditty.
I have a Trek 1420 from about 94. I rode it in the Boulder Co area. On the Boulder Canyon i would get out of the saddle and the chane would skip gears and come off. This happened on the crom moly frames ( bianci )So I went to the Al frame of the 1420. and at 200 lbs it was a much stiffer frame and held a gear as long as i didn’t try to shift while putting pressure on the chainring. (I Still have the bike and ride it)
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