'We need to turn that page' - Alex Howes on Hincapie's new team, the scrutiny surrounding its founders and rebuilding the American dream

Alex Howes, former professional cyclist and current sports director, reflects on the resurgence of American road racing through the lens of his new role with Modern Adventure Pro Cycling, a U.S.-registered UCI ProTeam. The team aims to revive the once-thriving American cycling scene by focusing on developing homegrown talent and providing them with opportunities to compete in Europe’s elite races. Howes recalls a golden era when fierce rivalries between teams like Garmin and BMC fuelled high-quality racing on American soil, attracting top international stars and nurturing a new generation of riders including himself, Taylor Phinney, and Tejay van Garderen. Modern Adventure Pro Cycling was founded by George Hincapie, his brother Rich, and businessmen Luis Vargas and Dustin Harder, with Howes playing a key role in assembling a cohesive squad. The team’s philosophy centres on collective effort and teamwork, recognising that success in modern professional cycling requires riders to function as a unified unit. Howes acknowledges the steep learning curve involved in transitioning from rider to director but remains optimistic as the team navigates its debut season, determined to establish a sustainable pipeline for American cyclists to progress to the world stage. The team has faced criticism due to the involvement of Hincapie and performance director Bobby Julich, both of whom have histories linked to the doping era that cast a long shadow over American cycling. Howes openly addresses this legacy, emphasising that those involved have acknowledged past mistakes and that the new project is committed to clean racing. He draws on his own experience with the "clean team" Slipstream Sports, which provided him with a clear, drug-free pathway to compete at the highest level, highlighting the importance of integrity and opportunity for emerging riders. Despite the backlash and scepticism from some quarters, Howes remains focused on the team’s mission to rebuild American road racing from the ground up. He admits that the criticism can be difficult but stresses the importance of perseverance and ignoring detractors in order to create a positive future for young American cyclists. The project represents a conscious effort to move beyond the controversies of the past and foster a new era of competitive, clean cycling in the United States.