Wiggins, Millar and Martin confirmed for Garmin's Tour team
- Wednesday, 24 June 2009
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British riders Bradley Wiggins and David Millar, along with Ireland's Daniel Martin, have all been confirmed for Garmin-Slipstream's 2009 Tour de France team
"We are bringing a diverse and versatile squad to the 2009 Tour de France,” said Garmin-Slipstream team boss Jonathan Vaughters.
“We had an incredible first Tour as a team last year and this year we hope for GC contention, possible stage wins and even the yellow jersey at some point.”
The US-based squad will be hoping for victory in the opening time trial, and Wiggins has made no secret of the Monaco test being his big target of the year. Stage four's team time trial will also feature highly on Vaughters' 'must win' list - particularly as Columbia-Highroad stole the show at the Giro TTT.
Christian Vande Velde is the natural choice for the squad's hope for overall, having placed fifth overall in last year's race. The American's Tour preparations took a knock when he crashed on stage three of the Giro, fracturing his pelvis - but he now seems to have made a quick recovery.
Tyler Farrar will be assisted by Julian Dean in the bunch sprints. Farrar has been widely tipped as the next big sprint sensation, and the only man able to challenge the pace of Columbia's Mark Cavendish.
The 2009 Tour de France starts in Monaco on Saturday July 4, and finishes in Paris on Sunday, July 26.
Garmin-Slipstream 2009 Tour de France team
Julian Dean (NZ)
Tyler Farrar (USA)
Ryder Hesjedal (Can)
Dan Martin (Ire)
David Millar (GB)
Danny Pate (USA)
Christian Vande Velde (USA)
Bradley Wiggins (GB)
David Zabriskie (USA)
RELATED LINKS
Tour de France 2009 - Cycling Weekly's full coverage
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