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STAGE 17: TEAM OF THE DAY: GARMIN-CHIPOTLE (CONTINENTAL PRO)
June 25, 2008
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Garmin-Chipolte (Continental Pro)
Registered Nation: United States
Bicycles: Felt
Components: Shimano
Key Riders: David Miller, Christian Vandevelde, Magnus Bv§ckstedt, Tom Danielson
Title Sponsors: Garmin gps systems & Chipolte Mexican fast food restaurants.
Team Garmin-Chipolte began as the UCI Continental Team, TIAA-CREF. It was established in 2004 as a development cycling team for young U.S. riders. Originally it consisted of both professional and amateur riders. TIAA-CREF continues to sponsor Garmin-Chipolt's junior development team of 10-17 year old riders.
In its current structure, Garmin-Chipotle was established at the beginning of 2007. The team general manager is former professional cyclist Jonathan Vaughters. In 2007 the season many focused on the US domestic circuit with a satellite program in Europe to help younger riders acclimate to demands of European racing. Until the arrival of Garmin this June, Vaughters was funded by Doug Ellis, a very wealthy private investor from New York City and wealthy supporters like Templeton Capital Advisors hedge fund manager Mark Holowesko.
For 2008 the team signed high profile riders David Zabriskie, David Millar, Christian Vande Velde, Tom Danielson and former Paris-Roubaix winner, Magnus Backstedt. Due to their extensive anti-doping program the team as been invited to many major races including Paris-Nice, Tour of Flanders, Ghent-Wevelgem and Paris-Roubaix. They also received invitations to the 2008 Tour de France and Giro d'Italia. In the Giro d'Italia the team won the opening team time trial to put Christian Vande Velde in the Maglia Rosa, but struggled later on to digest the challenge of their first Grand Tour. In June 2008 the team announced that GPS makes Garmin have taken over as title sponsor beginning at the 2008 Tour de France.
For the 2008 Tour de France, time trialist David Zabriske is uncertain after a Giro d'Italia crash, while
Millar could have some decent results in the time tests. Tom Danielson makes his Tour debut after a tough year of bad health in 2007 and is a big question mark.
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