Onward Christian’s soldiers
Half way through the race. That’s ten stages down, and I think few of my fellow racers would disagree that the most stressful stages of the Tour are now behind us. We’ve had a great start to the race, what with Will’s fantastic second place and my near miss in the time trial the first week. But nothing prepared us for the stunning race Christian has got himself mixed up in.
He’s lying in third place, a comfortable and confident third place at that. To see him racing with the best climbers in the world up Hautacam was simply awesome. Then to hear him tell me he was within himself and finished with bullets to fire was almost shocking. I, in the mean time, was having an awful day on the bike, having no choice but to complete the stage in the grupetto. That was hard physically and mentally. I would have loved nothing more than to be able to help out Christian before he got to Hautacam instead of having him isolated at the front of the race. It made me quite down not being able to even be his domestique. After all the training we’ve done together, and work we’ve put in, it wasn’t nice not being anywhere near his level. I can but hope that was my worst day of this Tour and I’ll be able to help him at some point when he needs it.
Having Christian assume this role of serious Tour contender has given the team a different lease of life. We are now transforming into a disciplined tight unit. Whereas before we were quite relaxed and yet aggressive in our tactics, now we are forming a more conservative guarding format. Our sole purpose it to serve as Christians bodyguards. It is great for all of us as it provides a real purpose and mission. Christian is inspiring us enormously and makes it a pleasure and honour to do so.
We will of course be launching ourselves into breaks and being part of the race, but that is now almost secondary. Christian is now our raison d’etre. You’d think he’d been within in reach of a Tour de France victory many times before the way he is handling the situation. He’s taking it in his stride with class and ease. Whether he wins, gets the podium, or finishes eleventh, these next twelve days are going to be one hell of a journey.
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on Wednesday, July 16th, 2008 at 8:01 am and is filed under Garmin Web Site, Rider Diaries and tagged with Christian Vande Velde, David Millar, Tour de France.
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Thanks Dave, do appreciate these thoughts.
The link is to the photo in Bagneres de Bigorre in 2000.
Thank you for keeping us up to date! We are rooting for the whole team and tell anyone who will listen that argyle is the “in thing!” Keep riding and we’ll keep cheering
Oh yeah – tell the Chipotle guys that the sign in the restaurants needs to be BIGGER! Hope the burritos hit the spot.
In what has been a fascinating tour so far, Christian’s efforts have surprised quite a few. Look’s like there will be a few more twists & turns over the duration. Keep plugging away & let’s hope there’s a podium place in Paris.
Go Slipstream
This is why you guys are such a great team.. To go from the “leader” now to supporting VDV to keep him up in a high position is what the whole concept of a team is.
Great for you David.. you are an inspiration for that classy move as well as for what you have done on the doping issue!!
Keep going the team is doing a very good work.
I hope the team can help CV in the next mountains.
Cheers from Portuga!
Hey David,
Unbelievable tour, it just keeps getting better. Your notes (and Will’s over on velonews) have really made the inner struggles and triumphs of the riders come alive for me. I know Christian has said he races for the fans at home, and here’s one fan that wants to push him up the hill myself. Tell him to take a chance or two for yellow for us fans, will you? It’s his race to win, not Evans’, not Menchov’s.
Cheers–
Bill
Well stated. Great team vibe. I loved watching argyle in the Giro and now I’m taking the next 2 weeks off work to watch and cheer. Team Garmin Chipotle is the soul of le Tour.
Thank you Dave. I love this team!!! Go Garmin Go!!!!
All right, I’m done giving encouragement with tactic directions. (see other threads) Certainly the giving them isn’t the same as doing. Just go get ‘em, guys!
Oh, and encourage your sponsor to put a restaurant in Blacksburg, VA (see, we’ve got this new shopping center opening up on South Main street and – oh heck…). Virginia Tech Undergraduate Admissions just bought a bunch of Garmin Nuvis too. All this is to say, I’m doing my bit. Thanks for doing yours.
David – Loved reading your blog – and thanks for being such a great role model, athlete, and teammate on the Garmin Chipotle squad. This year’s TdF is all the better for having you and the rest of the team fighting every day. Now to see how the team is rallying behind Christian makes it even more exciting to watch and follow along – best of luck from here to Paris!!
Keep it up guys. It’s a pleasure to watch you race. Bring home the yellow!
Phenomenal riding today by VdV. I just hope he didn’t miss an opportunity to take time out of guys like Evans and Menchov.
What’s going on in this team is like a beautiful secret garden, and I feel sorry for those who can’t see it. Thanks for another great report, David. I was so moved by hearing you apologize to Whitey yesterday on the climb. Have no fear, even when your legs can do no more, your heart fuels this team.
Kudos to the Garmin/Chipotle team. I’m starting to believe. Good luck you guys in the rest of the tour.
Dave,
I’m sure it must have been difficult seeing CVV having the ride of his life while you had a bad day. Put it behind you, it could be down to the smallest of things.
The team are stamping their mark on the TdF for the first of many years to come and it is good to see you mixing it up with the rest of them.
Fingers crossed for that stage win, maybe in the next 3-4 days. If not, there is always Stage 20!!
Away the Scots!
David, thanks again for the insights. Christian is amazing all of us. I could not be happier for the team or for him. I am also very excited to be seeing all of you in person next week. Alpe d’Huez will be amazing. Go CVV! DM, I hope your legs come around for the final TT.
cheers Dave! As always, love the inside scoop. Chin up as well mate. You know, JV and Whitey know, and your brothers in Argyle know they can count on you when the work needs to be done-that’s what counts. Best of luck (doesn’t hurt yeah?). Feel the Colorado love!
These insights are brilliant. I have really enjoyed reading all your entries. I don’t know if you read the comments but incase you do, i can recommend something for your team bus. Flight of the Conchords is the funniest show ever. If you haven’t seen it, get it for the bus!
Thanks for the words David. I really hope to see Christian on the podium. You guys are riding great. Good luck in the next days of racing!
I spent the last half an hour of Tuesday’s stage standing in front of the tv in my hotel room, in le Bourg d’Oisans no less. It was just so exciting seeing Christian battle it out with the other contenders. Still I keep wondering how many days Christian and the Garmin boys need to keep it up before the French press will give them any notice. It’s rather frustrating, but I just do my little part by spreading the good word of the team to anyone who will listen. Thanks for all the amazing moments in the most amazing Tour I have seen in years.
My little dream: Christian hangs in there and pulls a Greg LeMond on the second to the last stage.
Hey David!
Good to hear from you almost everyday.
That’s fair enough to assist your leader but keep in mind that you could do some “perf” au contre la montre!
Tu es vraiment quelqu’un de bien…!
Une frenchy fan!
David…No worries ..to become a well disciplined unit couldn’t be better…It’s called Team…You and the rest of the Team wouldn’t be there if each and every one of you didn’t have both talent and Skill…Keep the prrssure on and show them what your made of…!!!
Good Luck and Good Riding…!!!!
I love it when you write. Don’t worry David you will be their for VdV in the Alps. I think Evans, Menchov, Sastre, and Schleck are in for a big surprise in the coming days when they are starring at the backside of Christian.
David – thanks for the view into what is happening on your team. I’m an American and noticed Vandevelde’s name near the top and tried to get more info. I was curious how a team and a team leader would deal with a domestic as a contender (dreading that it would be similar to the LeMond – Hinault situation), but no. Good luck to all of you the rest of the tour.
Well chosen title David, good to see you’re reading the comments! Keep up the strong work with both the pedal and the plume.
David,
You have a tremendous amount of class!!
The great work and efforts from the whole team so far have been inspiring, I look forward to seeing Christian on the podium and the team celebrated for being what all the other teams aspire to.
Thanks for all your thoughts Dave, the TV doesn’t do you justice!
David, it was great to hear your sincere account of the race thus far. Your team spirit is an inspiration to all of your other team members.
Enjoy the rest of the race!
Cycle hard!
Cycle strong!
and Enjoy!
Soon you will all be celebrating!
What a thrill to watch and listen to you all. Christian and the whole team seem to handling everything with such class and style. Being able to read about all of the team details from David Miller makes it that much more exciting. Especially for those of us that can not be there and are watching it on TV everyday. Multiple times a day I might add. Keep up the great work and thanks for being such great role models. I have two young boys and it is just so important. You make a difference in peoples lives everyday and hope you know that.
Mimi