Team Garmin-Barracuda all set for its second Grand Tour race of the season
Team Garmin-Barracuda announced its final squad for the most prestigious cycling event of the race, the Tour de France 2012.
The team had a terrific start to the first Grand Tour race of the season, the Giro d’Italia after its star cyclist Ryder Hesjedal occupied the top position at the final general classifications.
Christian Vande Velde and Tom Danielson will strengthen the team’s climbing department during the three-week race.
Team Sports Director, Allan Pieper has noted that the selection is made on merit and a completely balanced squad has been chosen for the contest.
He briefed, "We have put together a well-balanced team with an emphasis on support for our leader, Ryder”.
“We have Christian and Tom, both excellent climbers who each have had great GC rides in the Tour and have shown their strength in recent racing”.
“Dan Martin, making his Tour debut, rounds out the climbers of the team".
"The climbers will have the support of TT specialists David Millar and David Zabriskie along with Johan Vansummeren”.
“Who will also be able to help out sprinters Farrar and Hunter in the quest for stage wins".
The cyclist occupied the top podium spot after the final general classification along with a stage 4 victory at the race.
He finished the Giro in a quickest time of 91 hours, 39 minutes and 2 seconds and restricted Joaquim Rodriguez of Team Katusha and Thomas De Gendt of Team Vacansoleil-DCM at the second and the third positions respectively.
The 31-year-old holds as many nine Grand Tour appearances under his belt including three Giro d’Italia, four Tour de France and two Vuelta a Espana participations to his credit.
Hesjedal started riding professionally with Team Saab/Gary Fisher in 1999 and stayed with the team by the end of 2000 season.
He also represented Team Subaru/Gary Fisher (2001-03), Team Us Postal (2004), Team Discovery Channel (2005), Team Phonak (2006), Team Health Net-Maxxis (2007) and finally penned a deal with Team Slipstream-Chipotle in 2008.
Ryder is continuing his fifth consecutive season with the side and is determined to continue his tremendous form at the French Grand Tour race of the season.
Garmin-Barracuda for the 2012 Tour de France include, Tom Danielson, Tyler Farrar, Ryder Hesjedal, Robbie Hunter, Dan Martin, David Millar, Christian Vande Velde, Johan Vansummeren and David Zabriskie.
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