Garmin-Slipstream Pro Cycling Team
For the first time, the Garmin-Slipstream Pro Cycling Team hits the ProTour circuit with an impressive 29-man squad that includes Olympic, world and national champions, along with some of the sport's best young talents. The team includes five national championship, Tour de France, Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a Espana stage winners, and Olympic and world championships gold, silver and bronze medalists. Our riders have worn the Giro's maglia rosa, the Tour de France's yellow and polka-dot jerseys and taken home the Tour of Missouri yellow leader's jersey. As one of the sport's most talented and hard-working teams, Garmin-Slipstream is prepared to race hard, race clean! Here's a small sampling of the talent on the 2009 team:
Christian Vande Velde
In 2008, Christian made the transition from super domestique to team leader, finishing the season as one of the world's top cycling talents. As part of the winning team time trial squad at the Giro d'Italia, Christian became only the second American ever to don the coveted maglia rosa. He rode heroically throughout the 2008 Tour de France, finishing fourth overall. The team's biggest win in 2008 came when Christian took home the yellow jersey from the Tour of Missouri. He is Team Garmin-Slipstream's on-the-road captain and will surely lead the Argyle Armada in many future victories.
David Millar
David Millar made his mark as the youngest yellow jersey wearer ever. In 2000, he beat Lance Armstrong in stage one of the Tour de France. After serving a two-year suspension, David is one of cycling's leading spokesmen for anti-doping and a member of the World Anti Doping Association (WADA). He rode the Giro d'Italia for the first time in 2008, helping lead the team to victory in the opening team time trial. He continues to be one of the sports leading time trialists and looks forward to leaving his mark on the 2009 Tour de France.
Bradley Wiggins
New to the 2009 roster is British track star Bradley Wiggins. Current world track champion in the individual pursuit, team pursuit and madison, Bradley brings major finishing power to the team. Besides taking gold in the individual pursuit in Beijing in summer 2008, he and his compatriots took gold in the team pursuit, setting a new world record. His road record is equally impressive with stage wins at the Tour de France and Dauphine Libere.
Julian Dean
Current New Zealand national road champion Julian Dean is one of the toughest, most accomplished riders on the team. Otherwise known as "Kiwi Guy," Julian rode on the winning Giro d'Italia time trial team. Throughout the 2008 season, he continued to find his form and notched six top ten finishes at the Tour de France and won the Tour of Britain sprint classification, finishing second overall. With a beefier, more experienced lead-out train for 2009, look for Julian to cross a few finish lines first.
David Zabriskie
The only American to have won stages in all three grand tours (France, Italy and Spain), "DZ" is known for his wickedly dry wit. In 2005, he spent three days in the Tour de France yellow jersey. A four-time US national time trial champion, Dave wins big races and keeps morale high with his colorful personality.
Svein Tuft
Four-time Canadian national time trial champion Svein Tuft gives Garmin-Slipstream more depth as a time trial powerhouse. This impressive Canadian managed to take the silver medal in the 2008 world time trial championships despite flatting in the final five kilometers! In 2008, Svein also won the Tour de Beauce overall and took gold in the time trial, individual pursuit, madison and points races at the Pan American Championships.
Dan Martin
Current Irish national road champion Dan Martin had a breakout year as a neo-pro in 2008. Besides winning the national road championships, Dan won the prestigious Route du Sud. He is an accomplished climber and continues to improve his time trial skills to become an all-around talent.
