George Hincapie, Andrew Bajadali, and Jeff Louder celebrate following the USA Cycling Road Race Championship. All three will compete in the 2009 Tour of Missouri. - Photo by Casey Gibson

George Hincapie - 2009 USA Cycling Road Race Champion
Photo by Casey Gibson

The race, contested for the fourth straight year in Hincapie's hometown of Greenville, S.C., was a battle of wills as nine riders entered the final 4.2 mile circuit before the top three broke away with less than two miles to go in the 110-mile race.

Hincapie was greeted to a throng of local support, the biggest crowd in fours years of the race in Greenville.

"It was very emotional for me," said Hincapie. "It's my hometown and I did feel a lot of pressure. But to win with all that pressure is a great feeling."

Hincapie had broken his collarbone with five days left in July's Tour de France but finished that race. It was his first race since the Tour de France.

"I didn't know how I would be going but knew I had one of my best Tours de France ever so I am still pretty fit," said Hincapie.

All three of the podium finishers, including Hincapie (Columbia-HTC), Bajadali (Kelly Benefit Strategies), and Louder (BMC Racing) will be racing in Missouri. Dave Zabriskie (Garmin), who won the national championship for the time trial, second-place Tom Zirbel (Bissell) and third-place Scott Zwizanski (Kelly Benefit Strategies) also all will be participating at this year's Tour of Missouri.

"To have all podium finishers from the U.S. Pro Championships racing in Missouri will be special," said Chris Aronhalt, the managing partner of event organizer Medalist Sports. "It's a great preview of who to watch for next week."

View Video Of Finish of 2009 USA Cycling Championship Road Race - CLICK HERE

View Video interview with George Hincapie about Columbia - HTC and Tour of Missouri prior to USA Cycling Championships - CLICK HERE