Andy Hampsten

Everyone knows Lance Armstrong, and some of you may remember Greg LeMond. But probably most of you don't know Andy Hampsten. Back in 1988, when I just started getting into cycling, there weren't many American cyclists on the European cicruit. LeMond, who won the Tour de France in 1986, was on the DL in 1987 and 1988 after a near-fatal hunting accident. Andy Hampsten filled the role of "cycling hero" for me. Hampsten was the first (and still the only) American to win the Giro d'Italia (Tour of Italy). It is the second most important stage race behind the Tour de France. Hampsten was one of the classic "good guys" of the sport. Here's a picture of him in action on the famous climb up the Gavia Pass in the 1988 Giro. Bravisimo! Click HERE for a list of his major victories.