Christian Vande Velde Victorious in Missouri!

Christian Vande Velde, Tour of Missouri stage 6 Today’s final circuit race in downtown St. Louis – shortened from 70 to 50 miles – was more like a long, albeit careful, parade for Team Garmin-Chipotle. Riding conservatively, the team focused on Christian Vande Velde’s safe passage as race leader. Once that mission was accomplished, the Argyle Armada lined up to put Tyler Farrar in motion for the final sprint in downtown St. Louis. Tyler finished third today behind Francesco Chicchi and Mark Cavendish.

Vande Velde was thrilled to finish today as the 2008 Tour of Missouri overall champion: “It’s been a great race from day one,” said Vande Velde. “I didn’t expect to win the time trial, but from then on, it was game on.”

“Everyone threw everything at us, trying to take away the 21” gap I had from the time trial,” he continued. “I was happy that everyone gave us such a fight because the win means that much more to us.”

Tom Danielson wrapped up a strong race, finishing 5th overall in the seven-day stage race.

Team Garmin-Chipotle stage results
1. Francesco Chicchi 1h57’06″
3. Tyler Farrar +00″
16. Christian Vande Velde +00″
28. Tom Danielson +00″
35. Danny Pate +00″
60. Steven Cozza +00″
84. Dave Zabriskie +1’03″

Team Garmin-Chipotle Final GC
1. Christian Vande Velde 21h23’26″
5. Tom Danielson +1’32″
30. Tyler Farrar +21’08″
32. Danny Pate +21’20″
37. Steven Cozza +22’33″
56. Dave Zabriskie +25’04″

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This entry was posted on Sunday, September 14th, 2008 at 6:29 pm and is filed under Garmin Web Site, Home Page, Race Reports and tagged with , . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

  • http://nicoleswan.com Nicole

    Woohoo — great job guys! It’s been a fun week, especially getting to see VdV and TD in awesome form.

    It seemed appropriate to celebrate by going for a ride myself! :)

  • Mike

    WOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
    great work guys.

  • Susan

    YEAH BABY! I was thinking of and hoping for you guys this morning during my ride; what a joy to come back and watch you win it! Great racing all week long by ALL of you. VDV, you rock. Enjoy the champagne tonight and some much-needed time off!

  • Team Pate

    You guys did a great job this week!!! I love to see you all smile at the end of the race, and you have had a lot to smile about. I am proud of all of you!

  • http://spinninwheel.blogspot.com/ Julie

    Huge congrats to Christian and the whole team, great work and a great win! You’ve come so far, VdV, great to see you come out of the year with a sweet title like this.

  • Olathe Fam

    It was a huge thrill to see you guys race in the midwest. Not only race – but win! Thanks for a great year! Can’t wait to see you tear them up next year and defend your title in Missouri.

  • http://www.toddroyal.com Todd

    Nice work team! Congrats Christian! You guys earned it!

  • Josep

    Excellent. Congratulations from Girona !!!.

    Josep

  • Jessica

    That´s why VDV loves being underdog – and that´s why we love Garmin Chipotle….
    Great job, congrats!!

  • http://www.christianvandeveldefanclub.com Maggie

    Yay!!!!! Go Christian! Go Argyle!!!

    Quick recovery to Blake Caldwell.

  • C.R.

    Great job Boys!!!!!!!! VDV, that TT ride was fierce!

  • lucy

    Congrats to the team, and especially Tom and Christian, on a great result!! Enjoy some well deserved time off -

  • Lozy

    BOOYAAHH!!!! I was glued to my phone all weekend since I was out of town!! Way to go!! The Argyle Armada blew one up on the home front!! First off congrats to everyone!! There is no I in team and everyone was needed for this much deserved and way over due win!! Great work CVV on making all us Midwest (I am from Indiana) boys proud!! Who needs mountains?? Long flat corn lined roads can do just as well eh? Tommy!! Way to go!! I am so glad to see you coming back. From everything I have read it has been a rough year. Take this as a great positive ending for the season and come back next year hungry for more!! Finally THANK YOU!! We are all proud of the CLEAN racing and breathing much needed life back into the sport!!

  • Opsimath44

    To celebrate, I’m off to Chipotles, for a burrito for me and a bowl of carnitas and rice for my dogs.

  • Tom

    Congrats to Christian and the team! What a Sunday, first getting the race results and then seeing Carlos Zambrano throw a no-hitter! It doesn’t get much better than that!

  • Amy Beauchamp

    Love to watch you guys do what you do. Good job to everyone. I’m especially impressed with Tyler!

  • Bryan

    w00000t! Great job and congratulations!

  • Bob Soule

    Great job guys! Hats off to Christian and Tom D. Good to see TD in good form. Way to go!

  • C.R.

    Just saw the season points totals from UsPRo

    VDV – what a fantastic season. And to think… you’re just one weapon in the Garmin Arsenal!!!

    All you guys deserve major accolades.

    Well done all!!!

  • Heather

    Congratulations on a well deserved win! What a great year for the team!

  • http://www.farandawaycycling.com Bob T

    CJ – Wow, just got back from Corsica and looked at the G-C newsletter which had this terrific news in it. I’m a little behind in the news, but, man, this is great to see no matter when. Congrats!

  • Jim Z

    I drove 400 miles from Wisconsin to Missouri to watch the last two segments of the Tour. Fantastic! Team Garmin, what an exciting effort. Hope to see everyone in 2009.