George Hincapie, who competed as a professional between 1994 and 2012, can see his former teammate Taylor Phinney competing with the best cobbled classics rider. The American has tipped the BMC rider to win Paris-Roubaix one day.

Phinney knows really the route of this race well. Indeed, he won the classic at the U23 level twice (2009 and 2010). He was present at the start of the pro race three times. His best result was a 15th place in his first participation.

"If there’s any American rider who can take up the reigns after me then it’s Phinney," Hincapie told Cyclingnews. "He’s incredibly powerful rider and he has everything that it takes. He’s a great bike handler and can position himself well. If he’s fully recovered from his injury, and he looked great in Gent Wevelgem working for Greg, I think he’ll get better this week and I think he can be a contender in Roubaix. With the week he’s had, he can be a winner in he future."