"The team is completely independent from Lance Armstrong" – George Hincapie steps out of the past as Modern Adventure targets American revival

George Hincapie has returned to frontline professional cycling with a clear message: his new Modern Adventure Pro Cycling Team is not an extension, revival, tribute nor disguised continuation of his long association with Lance Armstrong.

The American former Classics specialist, who retired in 2012 with 28 career wins including Gent-Wevelgem, said that although the pair still collaborate on a podcast, the new programme will be built on new leadership, new values and new objectives.

"We are in touch, and as I said, we work together on the podcast, but the team is completely independent from Lance and even in the search for sponsors, I am moving autonomously and through different channels," he told Bici.Pro.

Hincapie has positioned the outfit as a long-term, multi-stage rebuild rather than a publicity project or nostalgic comeback.

The former Motorola, US Postal and BMC rider says the goal is nothing less than a Tour-competitive American super-team, with a structural identity rooted in home-grown talent rather than licence paperwork.

"I want to create the American dream team, the Tour de France dream team," he said, adding that the squad will operate with a minimum 50 per cent US roster policy to ensure recognisability and cultural buy-in. "I want to prove I can build a highly successful team and revitalise cycling here in America."

His concern centres on visibility: elite American riders currently race predominantly for European organisations, diluting their impact and leaving national fans without a clear team to support.

Modern Adventure aims to race across Europe, the Middle East and selected US events, but will not base its identity around criterium racing despite acknowledging its entertainment value.

"In our first two years, we will race wherever possible," he said, confirming that invitations are not guaranteed due to second-division status. He described criteriums as "short, adrenaline-filled and exciting," but outlined Europe as the competitive focus.

Hincapie also said the team will attempt to win five races in its debut season, emphasising performance progression as an internal benchmark rather than fan-service optimism.

The recruitment of Leo Hayter, who stepped away from racing due to depression before returning at 22, is being treated as a responsibility rather than a gamble. Hincapie has hired Bobby Julich as performance director with the explicit aim of removing pressure, restoring confidence and providing elite infrastructure.

"We are all going to work to reduce the pressure and give him the best tools to return to his level — and even surpass it," he said, expressing personal excitement while acknowledging risk on both sides.

Hincapie compared his enthusiasm to the feeling of signing his first European contract at 19, describing the comeback as "fun, exciting and nerve-wracking" but "a great feeling".

The message is unmistakable: Modern Adventure is not a brand resurrection, not a rehabilitation platform, and not a shadow project — it is a fresh American attempt to build a credible, top-level programme from scratch.