CyclingNews.com talks to John Vande Velde about his son Christian’s transition from super-domestique to Tour leader. As a former US Olympic and national champion cyclist, successful six-day track racer, former vice president of USA Cycling, builder of the infamous Vandedrome portable velodrome, he clearly understands and respects the level at which is son is performing

From the feature: “He called me immediately after the team time trial in the Giro,” said John. “He was standing behind the podium ready to get his pink jersey and he said, ‘Dad, do you believe this?’ And I said, ‘Yeah, I believe it!’”

John said that he felt Christian had a special ride in him since the Giro, but really knew it just a couple of days into the Tour. “I had to see him for a couple of stages,” he said. But he told me that since the Giro – where he was pretty fit – that he lost four pounds, took a pound off his bike and cut his hair… which is another half-pound, at least!”