The American veteran rider George Hincapie has retired after a record 17 Tours de France.
Hincapie was a crucial lieutenant for last year's Tour winner Cadel Evans, playing a key role in last year's Tour win for the Australian.
Hincapie was also the only man to ride in all seven of Lance Armstrong's record seven Tour titles.
There are unconfirmed reports that Hincapie, one of Armstrong's closest friends in cycling, has given testimony to the anti-doping case against the Texan.
