Garmin-Chipotle (nee Slipstream) TdF Startlist

by Sui Juris on Jun 24, 2008 11:25 AM EDT in Events

And the Garmin-Chipotle team for Le Tour will be:

Magnus Backstedt
Julian Dean
Will Frischkorn
Ryder Hesjedal
Trent Lowe
Martijn Maaskant
David Millar
Danny Pate
Christian Vande Velde

Again, we'll see them in their new kits on July 3rd. Will Tom D. get one, too?

1 recs | Comment 64 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

looking forward to seeing

how trent lowe rides in the mountains. huge talent there. it’s his first tour, of course, so i’m not expecting huge results, but i’m interested to see how he goes.

it’d be cool to see maaskant at play in a break, too.

solid team.

by gavia on Jun 24, 2008 11:39 AM EDT 0 recs

Re: Lowe

I’m looking forward to him too. Glad that they are blooding him. Vandevelde can show him the ways. And, yep a good team.

by ursula on Jun 24, 2008 11:43 AM EDT up 0 recs

Ha!

I’m not sure “blooding” is quite the word we want to be using around the Tour ;-)

Lowe’s plenty ready, I think. Impressive ride at Georgia.

by gavia on Jun 24, 2008 11:50 AM EDT up 0 recs

Not sue if Lowe is ready myself.

He did have an impressive ride in Georgia but that just a 6 day race. I think he might be too young.

Great to see Pate making it.

by lyne on Jun 24, 2008 11:58 AM EDT up 0 recs

Yep, he’s too young to race with any pressure for results. But to try out the race? He’s been pro a while now, and shown a knack for racing above his age. Martin’s too young, for sure. But I think Lowe’s ready, given the Garmin approach. If he was being sent there to kill himself for a team captain who had to win at all costs, or if he was being asked to get a huge result, that would be too much too soon. But with Garmin, I think it’ll go well for him.

by gavia on Jun 24, 2008 12:01 PM EDT up 0 recs

good point. so this year is more a learning opp for the 2 young guys

by lyne on Jun 24, 2008 12:18 PM EDT up 0 recs

i think so

They’re both – Lowe and Masskant – canny bike racers, who might find an opportunity for a result, but won’t be riding with any pressures. I think if either one finds himself in the right break or has good legs on the right day, then he could get a surprise result. But no pressure, just get to know the race for the future.

SpunOut mentioned this in the thread on young riders, that JV seems to have a knack for developing young riders. I think he’s right about that, though of course we won’t know for sure until we see how all these projects turn out.

It’s no easy task, and I think it takes a serious commitment from team management to find the right balance for young riders. They need to get out and race, but you can’t ride their legs off either. They need “learning” races, where they’re just there to finish, but also chances to get a result here and there, to remember how to win. They would never have made it to the pro ranks if they didn’t know that, of course, but going winless for several years as a neo-pro can be rough for a talented junior or U23.

So far, I think JV is doing this especially well – it helps that bringing up new talent has been a goal of the team from the start so they have sponsor support for it. That makes it easier – for some pro teams, even with the best of intentions, the sponsor demands make it difficult to help the kids. Dan Martin is a great example of what Vaughters is doing right. His first pro race was Tour of Med, a good race with hard stages, but not top tier like Paris-Nice. Route du Sud was also a good fit – not top tier, like the Dauphiné or Tour de Suisse, but hard pro level stages. An excellent first win for a kid like him.

JV didn’t have the easiest path into the pro ranks, and he had to figure out a lot of things on his own. In that sense, he’s a good guy to be training the kids, and giving them the help he never had.

by gavia on Jun 24, 2008 2:33 PM EDT up 0 recs

That

...was so well stated, Gavia. I was trying to say something similar a few days ago about JV being smart in how he’s building out this team and it’s riders….in a sport where the yardstick is “instant big wins or else”. But you say these things far better…spot-on with this.

"....Up Sestriere on a rental clunker in jeans and loafers? Brother, lemme buy you a beer."

by Rolls on Jun 24, 2008 3:01 PM EDT up 0 recs

Well said and thanks for mentioning me

I’m famous!

If I just had one more gear, I...

by SpunOut on Jun 24, 2008 4:10 PM EDT up 0 recs

LOL

I wanted to reply to your post, and never got around to it. So consider this a belated reply :-)

Grazie Rolls!

by gavia on Jun 24, 2008 4:12 PM EDT up 0 recs

Three hooray's for Sui Juris!

You beat me on the Slippies team, although the Fever has struck pretty soon after. :)

Nice team, but what’s up with Tommy D? Why is he not riding?

You can't lose against Italy, we can only fail to win - Johan Cruijff

by DZI on Jun 24, 2008 11:54 AM EDT 0 recs

Ha.

Do you know how long I spent poking around this site to make sure it hadn’t already been posted? (The price of being away for too long, I think . . . .).

What’s up with Tommy D? See 2007-2008.

by Sui Juris on Jun 24, 2008 11:58 AM EDT up 0 recs

LOL

Yeah, I think everyone has to do that some days, though. Things move fast here at the cafe :-)

Danielson? Eh, well, he finally finished a race at the Route du Sud. But most of the season has been all about this problem or that problem. And he has no results to speak of. I quite honestly doubt he could finish the Tour. There’s always something.

by gavia on Jun 24, 2008 12:03 PM EDT up 0 recs

Yup

I agree with this assessment. Don’t get me wrong, I like TD, he is a very solid citizen, nice guy, etc. He just can’t seem to follow thru on his talent, which is obviously huge. I think it is mostly mental, with many years of mistakes and poor judgement leading to either non-selection in Grand Tours or crashing/sickness early and dropping out. E.g. : suffering with chronic giardiasis for YEARS without seeing a real doctor. Not learning Italian before racing with Fasso Bartolo and thus being relegated to minor races. Suffering a knee injury at the Tour de Georgia (which he did win) then not telling team officials until it was severely damaged. This is all a shame, as his results in hillclimbs and shorter stage races bespeak a great talent.

by tonyver45 on Jun 24, 2008 4:26 PM EDT up 0 recs

Must be the initial then.

Any rider called TD is not in the Tour it seems. ;-)

You can't lose against Italy, we can only fail to win - Johan Cruijff

by DZI on Jun 24, 2008 6:34 PM EDT up 0 recs

I'd like to see Fresh Corn do something

I like the way he rides and his attitude.

If I just had one more gear, I...

by SpunOut on Jun 24, 2008 12:07 PM EDT 0 recs

Not surprising, but still sad

Is the absence of one DZ from the roster.

Since VS is all about the guest commentators this year, can we put him in the box the week before Brunyeel?

by Sui Juris on Jun 24, 2008 12:11 PM EDT 0 recs

now that I would watch

by lyne on Jun 24, 2008 12:18 PM EDT up 0 recs

Can we have him fill in for the full 3 weeks?

That would truly be entertaining!

"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."

by nikki on Jun 24, 2008 12:58 PM EDT up 0 recs

holy cow!

Can you imagine?

by cg. on Jun 24, 2008 1:11 PM EDT up 0 recs

sigh

No mustache rides in France. I am sad.

by Megabeth on Jun 24, 2008 3:46 PM EDT up 0 recs

Thor - god of thunder - Hushovd

was far from a clean shaven lad last time I saw him, so you could still be lucky in that department. ;-)

You can't lose against Italy, we can only fail to win - Johan Cruijff

by DZI on Jun 24, 2008 4:55 PM EDT up 0 recs

With that team

they should be slipping (sorry) someone into breaks on just about every and any stage. They could be this the American version of Tinkoff.

"Hey, hey, settle down boys and girls or Krusty will have to bring out his old friend Corporal Punishment again."

by Drew... on Jun 24, 2008 12:28 PM EDT 0 recs

I am so excited for Will!

Fantastic!
I was already excited for the tour and now I am in heaven and can’t wait! I can so see him getting in a break of some sort with the knack for doing that that he has. Great stuff!

Now if we can get both Will and C writing while there (I’m trying to plug TBR but not having any luck) this will be the most fun ever!

"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."

by nikki on Jun 24, 2008 12:57 PM EDT 0 recs

i can't imagine...

that they won’t be put at least some short updates on the team blog. and frisch has his vn column, which should be good stuff in july for sure.

i guess i’d rather read short updates than see the viddy interviews. i like to skim past the boring bits. lol, not that c or any of those guys will have any boring bits ;-)

by gavia on Jun 24, 2008 2:34 PM EDT up 0 recs

Why didn't Tyler Farrar make the cut?

Is he injured?

by kalais on Jun 24, 2008 5:28 PM EDT 0 recs

In his local paper

it said he was awaiting the call like the others. I think possibly the decision came down to more mountain strength instead of sprinters. In the article it (if I recall correctly) he stated he wasn’t sure if he going was the best for the team with the route planned this year but that he still wanted to go. Almost like he realized it might not happen and was okay with it. I don’t think it had anything to do with him personally but more a focus on the hills by the team.

"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."

by nikki on Jun 24, 2008 5:42 PM EDT up 0 recs

I am glad he is taking it well.

by kalais on Jun 24, 2008 5:54 PM EDT up 0 recs

It shows that the riders are buying into JV's team concept.

Unlike the Gerolsteiner boys.
Gerolsteiner’s Wrolich and Haussler disappointed with non-selection
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2008/jun08/jun24news2

by kalais on Jun 24, 2008 5:58 PM EDT up 0 recs

Here's one from earlier...

Here was one of the articles in his local paper about Tyler.

"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."

by nikki on Jun 24, 2008 8:42 PM EDT up 0 recs

Surprised as Well

I was a bit surprised Tyler didn’t make the team as well. I’m sure the decision was not easy. Without a strong GC treat, I thought Tyler would be a good choice for a stage hunter. Also, he is young and should be a big talent for the future.

by John.. on Jun 24, 2008 5:47 PM EDT up 0 recs

I was also very much surprised that neither Christophe Laurent nor Kilian Patour made it to the list

Especially as Laurent has ridden the Tour previously.

by lyne on Jun 24, 2008 5:53 PM EDT 0 recs

laurent

the exclusion of laurent and inclusion of frish are the biggest surprises to me, i think.

by gavia on Jun 24, 2008 6:12 PM EDT up 0 recs

I adore Will so I am really biased here

but he has had a really great year this year with breakaways and team support and they’re going to need that when going for stages. I’m super excited for him. I think the key guys have been known all along but I would imagine the last 2-3 spots were really thought out decisions and not easy ones to make. I like the line up and I’m thrilled I get to see C and Will racing together for 3 weeks. Woo hoo!!!!

"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."

by nikki on Jun 24, 2008 8:26 PM EDT up 0 recs

yes, of course

I wasn’t saying he didn’t deserve it by any means. But I expected Laurent would make the cut first, that’s all.

by gavia on Jun 24, 2008 8:30 PM EDT up 0 recs

I hear ya and was just plugging Will.

Like I said, I am super excited for him. They had some great guys to fill those last spots and I know will was pretty excited today. I’m loving it and I’m not sure JV could’ve made a bad choice with any of those three we’ve had in this string. :-)

"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."

by nikki on Jun 24, 2008 8:45 PM EDT up 0 recs

ditto, still am quite surprised to see that Christophe didn't make it

by lyne on Jun 24, 2008 8:47 PM EDT up 0 recs

There almost certainly has to be an element of reward

for good efforts this year in the selection.

by Jens on Jun 24, 2008 10:49 PM EDT up 0 recs

a thought

We have talked a lot about how media savvy JV is. Perhaps if Laurent and Frischkorn were otherwise equal form wise and with regards to the teams goals on the road, Will got the nod due to his regular, and presumed continued presence on VN? Again, just a thought. But I’m sure that JV, and the sponsors are quite pleased to get regular ‘bonus’ exposure in the English speaking cycling press.

by Hons on Jun 24, 2008 11:00 PM EDT up 0 recs

Again I am biased so this is just an opinion

but if things were down to all equal I would think being American would have added a plus way before VN exposure. I’m still kind of in awe that there are only 4 Americans riding the Tour this year. That’s just bumming me out a bit. Being an American team and if things were all equal (which at the moment I’m not sure they are) I think that would be considered. Also a thought, do Laurent or Patour have any Olympic hopes or other races on their scope?

"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."

by nikki on Jun 24, 2008 11:08 PM EDT up 0 recs

Yes!

Totally what he said.

The VN thingy is so key – and I was just going to comment along those lines. It would be stupid if JV didn’t consider that. And JV? So not stupid. With Bruny hanging out at Versus and Phil plugging away at the Astana is American thing, JV can’t afford to miss a chance to stay in the US press. Garmin also made a point of saying that there were three Americans riding the Tour for them, out of only four in the race. So, they’re playing the American angle pretty hard right now.

All things equal, that probably decided things this time.

by gavia on Jun 24, 2008 11:47 PM EDT up 0 recs

And we get early editions to Tour writes...

Posted on VN a little while ago: Fresh Korn – The beginning of the dream

"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."

by nikki on Jun 25, 2008 12:32 PM EDT up 0 recs

Upcoming signings...

I saw this article about a stagiaire signing for the GarMen after the tour. It will be interesting who gets announced during the tour with moves amongst the teams.

"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."

by nikki on Jun 25, 2008 9:16 AM EDT 0 recs

si

this is in the gossip ;-)

by gavia on Jun 25, 2008 5:48 PM EDT up 0 recs

Maybe Chris can start

an ongoing transfer thread posted in the section area

by roadside on Jun 25, 2008 10:39 AM EDT 0 recs

That would be excellent, especially

post July when the talk really heats up. I’ll make sure he does it.

"Hey, hey, settle down boys and girls or Krusty will have to bring out his old friend Corporal Punishment again."

by Drew... on Jun 25, 2008 10:41 AM EDT 0 recs

Tom Danielson posts a blog update from his site after the team announcement

http://www.tomdanielson.com/pages/08/june08_changes.html

by roadside on Jun 25, 2008 11:02 AM EDT 0 recs

not a happy camper

by Sui Juris on Jun 25, 2008 12:01 PM EDT up 0 recs

Well

He’s got 3 months to prove they were wrong for not taking him. Otherwise, it seems like a continuation of unfulfilled potential and dreams.

"Hey, hey, settle down boys and girls or Krusty will have to bring out his old friend Corporal Punishment again."

by Drew... on Jun 25, 2008 1:20 PM EDT up 0 recs

It's just hard

being a fan of Tom….

by cg. on Jun 25, 2008 1:44 PM EDT up 0 recs

+1

I can’t say that I wouldn’t do the same thing as JV. He wanted to see something from TD and hasn’t. A tough decision to make no doubt, but one that had to be made.

If I just had one more gear, I...

by SpunOut on Jun 25, 2008 6:43 PM EDT up 0 recs

Neither is Laurent

It seems that he learned of the decision by the net posting, JV had not called him.

by lyne on Jun 25, 2008 12:08 PM EDT 0 recs

oooh, ouch

that is really poor form. everyone makes mistakes, but that one, ouch. Vaughters, bro, you gotta be more careful about that kind of thing.

on the subject of odd notifications, CN reported a day or so ago that one of the Milram riders found out when an airline ticket to Brest showed up in his email. Uh, guess I’m riding the Tour?

by gavia on Jun 25, 2008 12:13 PM EDT up 0 recs

that's actually kind of classy

Surprise good news, not surprise bad news, that is.

by JFS_PGH on Jun 25, 2008 11:39 PM EDT up 0 recs

I don't believe it !

who gets airline tickets anymore?

that is pretty tacky.

by lyne on Jun 25, 2008 11:50 PM EDT up 0 recs

Oh... that I don't like.

Those that weren’t selected off that long list should’ve gotten the calls before any leakage happened.
Does Laurent have a blog? I’m always on look outs for riders reports versus media notes.

"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."

by nikki on Jun 25, 2008 12:29 PM EDT up 0 recs

Laurent is basically stating this it was pretty clear (even promised?) that when he was hired he'd be riding the Tour

and he can’t see why certain riders were picked instead of him except for ‘political’ reasons. It seems that he requested to ride the Giro but was told ‘no, you’re riding the Tour’...

His official site: http://www.christophelaurent.net/
More active guestbook: http://www.maxiservices.net/livre/livre-16728-0.html

by lyne on Jun 25, 2008 1:46 PM EDT up 0 recs

Oops

Someone might be asking out of their contract next year.

"Hey, hey, settle down boys and girls or Krusty will have to bring out his old friend Corporal Punishment again."

by Drew... on Jun 25, 2008 2:07 PM EDT up 0 recs

I'm not liking how this sounds to have come about.

There is no way you can make everyone happy and with only 9 men allowed to go, someone would be excited and someone was bound to be irked. I feel for those that didn’t make it. I think the long list has been a long list since pretty much last fall. I dislike the most that there was some missing communication. JV can’t take them all but I would’ve thought he’d have been on top of the talking with his riders, especially those not making the squad.

Did anyone catch Julian Dean’s latest entry? He’s going to the Tour but does not sound happy with the last batch of racing he had to do.

"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."

by nikki on Jun 25, 2008 2:18 PM EDT up 0 recs

Ditto, of course some would be disappointed by not making the team

but, if true that they were not called before the official announcement, well that’s just really bad form.

Still happy for the guys that did make it, no reflection on them, just well on JV

by lyne on Jun 25, 2008 2:41 PM EDT up 0 recs

I would like to hear from JV on this

It’s hard to think that someone as put together as JV would screw up something so simple as notification. I’m sure there will be more to come.

If I just had one more gear, I...

by SpunOut on Jun 25, 2008 6:49 PM EDT up 0 recs

I'm thinking and hoping

it’s just mistranslations and bitter feelings on not making the team. I agree with you that I can’t see JV not making sure he talked to all those on the long list before anything was released to the press. Hopefully there is less here than it first appeared.

"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."

by nikki on Jun 25, 2008 10:46 PM EDT up 0 recs

thanks for the linkies

hmm… bet the change had something to do with the change in title sponsor. which is often how these things go, but still too bad. and poorly played by vaughters, assuming laurent’s side of the story is accurate.

by gavia on Jun 25, 2008 5:50 PM EDT up 0 recs