Vande Velde leads Garmin team for Tour de France

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2009

PARIS (AFP) — American rider Christian Vande Velde has recovered from injuries suffered in a fall during the Giro d'Italia and will lead the Garmin team in the Tour de France, the team said on Wednesday.

The 33-year-old, who ended last year's Tour in fifth place but was promoted to fourth on the disqualification of Bernhard Kohl for failing a doping test, is one of four American riders in the team.

It also includes the British pair - Olympic pursuit three-times gold medallist Bradley Wiggins and David Millar - for the Tour which starts on July 4 in Monaco.

Another of the US racers is time-trial specialist and 2005 yellow jersey wearer David Zabriskie.

Garmin have also included two up-and-coming riders - American sprinter Tyler Farrar and Irish specialist...