Team Garmin-Barracuda » Christian Vande Velde

Photo of the Day: July 18, 2011

Bryan — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 10:43:08 +0000

Tom Danielson and Christian Vande Velde, 2011 Tour de France.

View the Photo of the Day series here:

Stage Preview: Tour de France, Week 2

Bryan — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 10:11:00 +0000

As the Tour moves on to the second week of racing, we have to say…WOW, what an amazing first week for team Garmin-Cervelo. At the time we write this, the team won stage 2′s team time trial, Tyler Farrar won stage 3, and Thor Hushovd has defended the yellow jersey through stage 6. Congratulations is in order for all the riders and staff, it’s been a fun week to be a Garmin-Cervelo staff member and fan!

This image pretty much sums up the first week as far as we’re concerned:

Beginning with stage 8, the Tour moves into difficult terrain which should favor the overall GC contenders. Stage 8 finishes in Super-Bresse after a tiered 900 foot climb starting at around 6.5k to go. The finish climb could favor punchy climbers with explosive power, but we’ll be looking to David Millar, Vande Velde, Danielson, and Hesjedal to show their climbing form prior to the high mountains.

Stage 9 looks to be a very tough day of racing prior to the first rest day on Monday, July 11th. With 8 categorized climbs, including the third category finishing climb, stage 9 looks like a day for a big breakaway of stage win hopefuls polka dot jersey contenders.

On paper, Stages 10 and 11 look very similar to Stage 9, but both stages have fewer categorized climbs that could favor the sprinters as their chances for stage wins quickly dwindle.

Stages 12 and 13 finally take the Tour into the high mountains of the Pyrennes for what will be the first two major GC battles of the Tour. Stage 12 finishes on the HC climb to Luz Ardiden, but also crosses the mighty Tourmalet which was featured twice in the 2010 Tour de France. We’re hoping Ryder Hesjedal has good memories of the Tourmalet and will hold his position as a GC contender after stage 12.

Stage 13 features the massive hors category climb Col d’Aubisque, but is otherwise not a mountainous stage. After stage 12′s super tough terrain, stage 13 should be another day for a breakaway, likely including a rider looking to gain points in the competition for the polka dot climbers jersey.

After a very tough first week of racing, the second week of the Tour could produce some surprises and shake up the overall classification. If we had to pick a “must watch” stage, it would be stage 12 over the Tourmalet and finishing on Luz Ardiden. Enjoy the race and stay tuned here for daily race reports from Team Garmin-Cervelo!

More photos from the Tour de France:

Next Page ›

Stage Preview: Tour de France Week 1

Bryan — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 20:27:26 +0000

The Tour doesn’t really need an introduction, it’s the TOUR. Easily one of the largest sporting events in the world, and certainly the biggest race of the pro cycling season.

For 2011, the Tour celebrates the 100 year anniversary of the first time the race was held in the Alps. The result is a route that doesn’t visit the high mountains for the first 10 stages. That’s not to say the first week will be easy!

Beginning in the Vendee region, stage 1 starts the first week with what might be a common theme: wind off the ocean, unpredictable weather, and tricky stage finishes. Stage 1 finishes up a 1-2k false flat that could leave the pure sprinters fighting for seconds. Look for Tyler Farrar or world champion Thor Hushovd to be battling for the win this Saturday.

In such a huge event, you hate to blow off other aspects of the race, but stage 2 is definitely for “all the marbles” in the first week of this year’s Tour. JV has made it very clear that we’re gunning for the victory in the team time trial. Riders like David Millar, David Zabriskie, Christian Vande Velde, Tom Danielson and Ramunas Navarduaskas all bring a huge amount of TTT experience with them to stage 2. With a team built around riders who are great time trialists, this will be a fun stage to watch!

Stages 3, 4, and 5 all share similar characteristics: none are truly flat, and all could present riders with strong cross winds off the ocean. Stage 5 includes a finish atop the “Mur de Bretagne” in the cycling, moule-frites, and crepes crazed Brittany region of France. There’s no way to call stages 3, 4, and 5 “sprinters” stages, but Tyler, Thor and possiby David Millar or Ryder Hesjedal might all have strong showings on these stages.

Stages 6 and 7 appear to be flatter, further away from ocean crosswinds, and will probably lead to large bunch sprints. Ace leadout man Julian Dean will definitely be helping Tyler Farrar look for a stage win on stages 6 and 7!

Team Garmin-Cervelo is poised with a great line up for this year’s Tour de France. The first week should be a great week for the team, we can’t wait to see it unfold!

View photos from previous editions of the Tour de France:

Next Page ›

Preview: Tour of Romandie

Bryan — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 21:44:55 +0000

Tour of Romandie starts April 26th with a week of racing in the Swiss countryside.

The Tour of Romandie begins tomorrow with an exciting race format and great line up from Team Garmin-Cervelo. A 3.5km prologue opens things up with a pan flat course profile and what should be a sub 4 minute explosive effort perfect for prologue specialists.

Following the prologue the race moves into the hills for stages 1, 2, and 3. While there is a mountain top finish on stage 2, Romandie doesn’t have any high mountain finishes. The race course does have some significant climbing, but the overall classification will probably be decided during stage 4, a 20.5km individual time trial.

Team Garmin-Cervelo will have a great roster at the Tour of Romandie. We’re looking forward to seeing Dave Zabriskie and David Millar race the opening prologue and stage 4 individual time trial. Along with Zabriskie and Millar, our roster includes Jack Bobridge, Tom Danielson, Cameron Meyer, Peter Stetina, Andrew Talansky, Jack Bobridge, and Matt Wilson.

The Tour of Romandie should be a great week for Team Garmin-Cervelo, stay tuned to our team site for a full recap and race photos, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter for the latest race updates!

More photos from previous editions of the Tour of Romandie:

Next Page ›

Meet Christian Vande Velde at the Garmin store!

CJ — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 16:54:08 +0000

Here is your chance to meet Christian Vande Velde at the Garmin store on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile:

Update: Tour de France, stage 2

CJ — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 00:01:15 +0000

Here is an update to the status of the Argyle Armada after an unlucky and crash-filled stage 2 of the Tour de France:

A crash-filled Stage 2 of the Tour de France saw five Team Garmin-Transitions riders hit the pavement.

Christian Vande Velde, Tyler Farrar and Julian Dean were all taken to a local hospital where they were evaluated by team and hospital physicians.

Vande Velde suffered a left eyelid laceration requiring multiple stitches, along with two broken ribs. Farrar sprained his left elbow and suffered a significant hematoma and abrasion. He also fractured his left wrist and suffered multiple other contusions and abrasions. Dean suffered a large contusion on his left upper back.

David Millar, who did not go to the hospital for x-rays, suffered a potential broken rib.

All nine Team Garmin-Transitions riders completed today’s stage, demonstrating courage and commitment to their team, the sport, and the Tour de France.

Eight riders will take the start tomorrow, with the exception of team leader Christian Vande Velde. This season, Christian suffered a broken collarbone at the Giro d’Italia, three broken ribs at the Tour du Suisse, and today, suffered two additional broken ribs and multiple contusions. The extent of all of these injuries combined will prevent him from starting Stage 3.

“Clearly this will mean a change in the general strategy for Team Garmin-Transitions,” said CEO and DS Jonathan Vaughters.

“We will focus on the multitude of talented riders we have on this team. We’ll be looking for stage wins and ways to animate the race. I’m proud of the ride our team did today. Despite injury and conditions, they pushed through, and all nine finished the race.”

“We’ve lost Christian, and we’re all sad about that. He’s had a tough season and has preserved and pushed himself like few other athletes could.”

“I crashed once right before the Stockeu,” said Vande Velde. “Riders crashed in front of me and I wasn’t able to avoid them, so I went down.”

“We all knew it was important to be at the front over the climb and at that point, I felt ok and got back on and made it back to the front to get up Stockeu. Then another rider lost control in front of me and again, I couldn’t avoid it. I crashed and landed in a ditch. I’m not sure what I hit; I think it might have been a pole. At that point my eye was bleeding pretty badly and the pain in my side and my back was excruciating. I got back on the bike though, and was coming back with Andy Schleck. I tried to stay with that group, but the pain was too much and I couldn’t get out of the saddle to make it back on.”

“No one wants to leave the Tour de France. I worked really hard to get myself ready to be here again and I was just starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I’m indescribably disappointed to not be starting tomorrow. I wish everyone luck – my team and all the other riders at this Tour de France. I don’t ever want to have to see another day like today, whether I’m in the race or not.”

The team’s sprinter Tyler Farrar had a second day of misfortune, crashing multiple times.

“One minute I was riding down the descent and the next minute I was sliding,” said Farrar. “That was the first crash. I got back up and started descending again and I have no idea what happened; all of the sudden my front wheel was gone and I was on the ground again. That’s the one where I knew something was very wrong.”

“I rode the last 30k with one hand. I laid my left hand on the handlebars but that’s all I could do. I have a fracture in my wrist and banged up my elbow pretty badly. No one wants to quit the Tour de France, so you’ll push yourself a lot more through the pain than you will in any other bike race in the world. I’m determined to start tomorrow and as of this moment, that’s the plan.”

“Tomorrow is going to be painful for Tyler,” said Vaughters. “He’s got significant injuries, so starting alone is a huge step, and from there we’ll have to see how he goes. But regardless, a good, strong team remains at this Tour and we’ll be a part of the action throughout.”

More photos from the Tour de France:

Next Page ›

Vande Velde out of Giro, confirms broken clavicle

CJ — Mon, 10 May 2010 21:30:55 +0000

Team Garmin Transitions’ Christian Vande Velde crashed today during stage 3 of the Giro d’Italia, suffering a broken right clavicle and forcing him to withdraw from the race. He will undergo surgery Wednesday in Antwerp and after that will work with the team’s medical staff on a recovery plan.

“The amount of support I’ve received is overwhelming, so I just want to thank everyone. You never want to leave a race like this, and it is frustrating that it has happened for the second year in a row here, especially coming off Tyler’s win yesterday. I really wanted to be here to be a part of everything that comes next – whether it be helping David get into pink or just being part of the team here.”

“I’ll be rooting for them at home, though, and I will do everything I can to be on the start line at the Tour de France,” said Vande Velde.

Vande Velde also crashed on Stage 3 of last year’s Giro d’Italia, sustaining five broken vertebrae, a broken pelvis and broken ribs. He came back to finish eighth in the Tour de France.

“Christian is incredibly strong and motivated. He has proven that over and over again,” said Matt White, sports director of Team Garmin-Transitions. “We will make sure he gets everything he needs to be able to heal, but he has already showed the world what he can come back from. The team will continue to race hard here at the Giro and we’ll be thinking of Christian.”

More photos from the Giro d’Italia:

Next Page ›

VeloNews: Vande Velde ready for Giro

CJ — Mon, 03 May 2010 14:40:35 +0000

Team Garmin-Transitions’ captain for the Giro d’Italia Christian Vande Velde tells VeloNews’ Andrew Hood that he is ready to repeat the performance of 2008 and forget the bad luck of 2009.

Christian Vande Velde is hoping that’s going to be déjà-vu all over again at this year’s Giro d’Italia. Well, sort of.

The Garmin-Transitions captain would love to see a repeat of the highly successful 2008 edition, but not last year’s hard-knock Giro, when he crashed out with several broken bones in the first week.

“I don’t have pressure, but I am definitely going to race hard those first two weeks and see where the cards fall. It worked out really well for me in 2008 and it worked out great for Wiggo last year,” Vande Velde told VeloNews. “Ideally, not break seven bones in my body. I just need to get through the Giro unscathed.”

Vande Velde, 33, became the first American since Andy Hampsten to wear the pink jersey after Garmin won the team time trial to open the 2008 Giro. He rocketed out of the Giro with excellent form and rode to a career-best fourth place in the Tour de France later that summer.

That’s in sharp contrast to last year’s Giro, when an in-shape Vande Velde crashed out in stage three, breaking five vertebra, a rib and his pelvis, and putting his Tour in jeopardy. Despite the odds, he came back and rode to an equally impressive eighth in the Tour.

Vande Velde returned to racing last month with Liège-Bastogne-Liège and completed the Tour de Romandie on Sunday, where he rode to 14th on GC.

For the Giro, his goals are to prepare for the Tour, but not shy away from opportunities if they’re there for the taking.

“I think that’s a good attitude to go in with, if something happens, it happens,” he said.

“I want to go in to do well in the prologue and team time trial, chase the pink jersey.”

Read the full feature.

More photos of Christian Vande Velde:

Next Page ›

VeloNews: A conversation with Christian Vande Velde

CJ — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:57:10 +0000

Team Garmin-Transitions’ captain Christian Vande Velde is preparing for his first race of the year, the Volta ao Algarve in Portugal. VeloNews’ Andy Hood sat down with him last month during the training camp in Calpe, Spain.

Christian Vande Velde is holding nothing back this season as he sets his sights on the ultimate prize of the Tour de France.

Full of confidence and back in full health, the 33-year-old will be the top GC rider at Garmin-Transitions following the recent departure of the 2009 Tour’s fourth-place finisher, Bradley Wiggins.

Vande Velde debuts his 2010 season this week at the Volta ao Algarve. VeloNews sat down with him last month at the team’s training camp in Calpe, Spain. Here are excerpts from the interview:

VeloNews: After an up-and-down season in 2009, what are your sensations coming into this year?

Christian Vande Velde: Compared to last year, everything is better. My body is better, even after all the mayhem I put my body through last year. I changed up my winter a little bit. I went to Hawaii instead of staying in Chicago all winter, so that was nice. It was a lot of fun, too, for not just myself, but for my family. It was a long two weeks over the holidays in Chicago. It’s a great city if you’re Muddy Waters, not if you’re a bike racer.

VN: How’s your racing schedule shaping up?

VDV: Algarve, Paris-Nice, Catalunya, some classics – Fleche, Liege, maybe Amstel – Giro and Tour. It pains me to say that there’s no California. It was a hard decision. Even today, every person who asks me, I hate to say I am doing the Giro, because California is a great race. I’ve done every race and I’ve had a great time, no matter how bad the weather. We don’t see that many spectators in any race apart from the Tour.

VN: Why is the Giro better for you?

VDV: Just the way my body works. My family will be here. Travel. I’m done trying to make my life any more complicated than it already is.

First, just go with something that already works for me. Second, it takes the stress out of my life, not that the Giro isn’t stressful, it is a great race and it’s a big block of training that’s second to none.

Read the entire feature on VeloNews.

Video: Putting the 'rain' in training

CJ — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 17:52:13 +0000