Tour de France veteran George Hincapie likes cars as much as the next auto enthusiast. He’s partial to Audi and Infiniti, including the latter SUV model in which he has a one-of-a-kind sound system installed. He also owns a Ferrari, but maybe not for much longer.
About nine months ago, Hincapie purchased a 2006 Ferrari F430. But he’s now likely to sell the car because he just doesn’t have the opportunity to drive it much.
During a recent trip to California to ride in a cancer awareness event for his work with Breakaway From Cancer and to help launch to new location of the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame, Hincapie discussed his 4.3-liter, 490-horsepower V8 (Red) Ferrari.
Hincapie, 36, lives part-time in Greenville, S.C. He will compete May 16-23 in the Tour of California and then participate in the Tour de France for the 15th time, beginning July 3 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
During a wide-ranging, exclusive interview, Hincapie was asked about his Ferrari.
The Weekly Driver: A lot of guys when they’re in a position to get a nice car, think about a vintage Porsche, a Lamborghini and, of course, a Ferrari. How about you?
George Hincapie: (Laughing) It kind of just happened. But I hardly ever drive it. In fact, I probably won’t end up keeping it. I’ve been home for about two weeks and I’ve driven it like three times.
You know, when we’re training (and racing) hard, you don’t really drive. And it the winter, the weather is bad, so I don’t like to take it out in the bad weather. But it’s a great car. I love it.
Q: What year is it again?
GH: 2006. I’ve just saw it and got it. I’ve always wanted one. My son’s name is Enzo . . so it was a car for me.
Q: In the time you’ve had the Ferrari, if you had to, can you guess how many miles you’ve put on it?
GH: Not many. Maybe 200. Maybe not that many. I’ve had it for I think nine months. I’ll keep it a little longer.
Article Last Updated: April 26, 2010.
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A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004.
In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida.
An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.