Andy Hampsten, Le Vie Claire Team Jersey worn in the 1986 Tour de Suisse – Race Winner

Andy Hampsten

Andrew Hampsten (born April 7, 1962) is an American former professional road bicycle racer who won the 1988 Giro d’Italia and the Alpe d’Huez stage of the 1992 Tour de France. Between 1986 and 1994, he finished in the top ten of eight Grand Tours.

Racing Career

Andy Hampsten first caught the public eye in 1985 when he won stage 20 of the Giro d’Italia. The following year, he joined Bernard Hinault’s La Vie Claire team. In his first full season as a professional, 1986, he won the Tour de Suisse and helped his compatriot and team leader Greg LeMond to victory in the Tour de France. He also finished fourth overall in the Tour and claimed the white jersey as best young rider.

Hampsten repeated his Tour de Suisse victory in 1987, this time riding for the 7-Eleven Cycling Team. He defeated multi-time Tour de France stage winner Peter Winnen by one second and Fabio Parra by seven seconds. His greatest triumph came in the 1988 Giro d’Italia, during a short stage over the Gavia Pass. Attacking on the climb, Hampsten overcame a severe snowstorm to take the maglia rosa, becoming the first American to do so. Although he finished second on the stage to Dutchman Erik Breukink, who was considered a favorite for overall victory, Hampsten secured the race lead. The conditions that day were among the worst in cycling history, with many riders abandoning and several hospitalized for hypothermia. After surviving the Gavia Pass, Hampsten successfully defended his lead for the remainder of the race, becoming the second American to win a Grand Tour and the first to win the Giro d’Italia.

In the 1989 Giro d’Italia, Hampsten again performed at an elite level among the general classification riders, finishing third overall. He was also a contender for much of the 1990 Tour de France.

Hampsten’s final career highlight came in the 1992 Tour de France when he dropped his breakaway companions to win the prestigious stage to Alpe d’Huez. He again finished fourth overall, losing third place to Gianni Bugno in the final time trial.

Life After Racing

Hampsten once lived in Grand Forks, North Dakota, where the city’s 40-mile bikeway system was dedicated as the “Andy Hampsten Bikeway System.” He now divides his time between Tuscany and Boulder, Colorado. In 1999, Hampsten and his brother Steve founded Hampsten Cycles, a custom bicycle company based in Seattle, Washington. He also operates a bicycle touring company in Italy called Cinghiale Cycling Tours.