Features
Road

Tour gallery: Christian Vande Velde

published 21 July 2009

Photos of Vande Velde's journey in the top ten

Comments

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Image 1 of 13

Christian Vande Velde (Garmin-Slipstream) looks relaxed before the start of stage five.(Image credit: Isabelle Duchesne)

Christian Vande Velde (Garmin-Slipstream) about to depart on a training ride with his team.(Image credit: AFP)

Christian Vande Velde (Garmin-Slipstream) en route to a 17th place finish.(Image credit: Sirotti)

USA's Christian Vande Velde (Garmin-Slipstream) finishes Tour de France stage six in Barcelona.(Image credit: sirott)

Christian Vande Velde (Garmin-Slipstream) and Franco Pellizotti (Liquigas) in Tour de France stage seven.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)

Garmin-Slipstream teammates Bradley Wiggins (L) and Christian Vande Velde climb to the finish.(Image credit: Sirotti)

Christian Vande Velde (Garmin - Slipstream)(Image credit: Sirotti)

Christian Vande Velde (Garmin-Slipstream) gets a wheel from his teammate Martijn Maaskant after crashing on stage 11. (Image credit: AFP Photo)

Christian Vande Velde (Garmin-Slipstream) fought his way back to the leaders but couldn't hold the pace when the race splintered on Verbier(Image credit: Sirotti)

Christian Vande Velde struggled on the final climb.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)

Christian Vande Velde (Garmin-Slipstream) climbs the Col de la Colombière.(Image credit: Sirotti)

Christian Vande Velde paces Garmin-Slipstream teammate Bradley Wiggins up the Col de la Colombière.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)

Christian Vande Velde (Garmin-Slipstream) approaches the finish line.(Image credit: Sirotti)

Christian Vande Velde (Garmin - Slipstream) has done well enough this season to make the start line.

Wiggins inspired by Vande Velde

Vande Velde reflects on atypical Tour

Vande Velde satisfied after tough stage 13

Vande Velde may turn attention to Wiggins

His crash in the third stage at the Giro d'Italia should have seen him spend July at home. Instead, a miraculous recovery helped him line up with the Garmin-Slipstream in Monaco.

Unfortunately for the Illinois local, the Tour de France has a way of revealing any blips in preparation. A bad day on the road to Verbier makes it look unlikely that Vande Velde will repeat or improve on his fourth place from last year. Still, after two and a half weeks he's in 10th place.

Click here to view images of Christian Vande Velde's Tour de France