2008 is certainly Christian Vande Velde's coming out party.
A day in the pink jersey at the Giro d'Italia, fifth place finish in the Tour de France (4th in the final time trial), and now he's put everyone on notice that he's the man to beat at the Tour of Missouri.
The 32-year-old cyclist on Garmin-Chipotle won the 18-mile individual time trial around Branson on Wednesday, catapulting him into first place by a 21-second margin over three-time world champion time trialist Michael Rogers of Team Columbia.
He outdid defending champion George Hincapie, who is now sitting in fourth place, by 1:03. Canada's Svien Tuft of the Symmetrics pro cycling team finished in 3rd, 44 second behind.
The US time trial champion, David Zabriskie, finished in fifth place, 1:10 behind teammate Vande Velde, and Italy's Liquigas team has Vincenzo Nibali placed in 6th at 1:15 behind Vande Velde.
Right now, the Tour of Missouri is playing out pretty much to early expectations. With four stages to go, it's a race among Garmin Chipotle, Columbia and Liquigas — all teams that competed at the Tour de France.
With Garmin and Columbia with two cyclists each in the top five, it might play out to a duel between the two top US-based pro cycling teams.
As for Vande Velde, you couldn't make up a better story. A member of a family prominent in midwestern cycling circles (his father is in the US Bicycling Hall of Fame), Vande Velde works as a domestique on European-based teams for several years before landing a job as one of the stars on Garmin-Chipotle for 2008.
One of the Garmin Chipotle cyclists, Blake Caldwell, crashed during the ITT, falling from a rocky bluff. He was airlifted to the hospital by helicopter. From the team website:
“Blake Caldwell crashed during today’s time trial at the Tour of Missouri. He sustained a concussion, clavicle fracture, sternum fracture, pelvic fracture and a pulmonary contusion. He is currently in stable condition at an area hospital, where he will remain for observation.
“Our thoughts are with him, and he appreciates everyone’s support. We also extend our thanks to the Tour of Missouri medical staff for their coordination of his care.”
Other Biking Bis stories at “Who is this Christian Vande Velde?” and;
“Christian Vande Velde, more a star than a water carrier”.
More at VeloNews and CyclingNews.
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