Danny Pate drives the Garmin train with six kilometres to go. (Image credit: Edward Madden)
The Garmin-Slipstream team named its roster for the Tour de France, listing a team of battle-hardened Tour veterans and rising stars to compete in the race's 96th edition.
Along with GC men David Millar and Christian Vande Velde, time trial aces Bradley Wiggins and David Zabriskie, the team will start with sprinters Tyler Farrar and Julian Dean.
Rising star Dan Martin, who placed second behind Alejandro Valverde in the Volta Catalunya this year, will be a prime candidate for the best young rider classification, while Canadian Ryder Hesjedal and American Danny Pate round out the roster.
“We are bringing a diverse and versatile squad to the 2009 Tour de France,” said team manager 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.”
Dutchman Martijn Maaskant is the first reserve.
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