Vande Velde, who finished fourth in 2008 and eighth overall last year will be backed in the general classification by a strong group of Grand Tour veterans, while Farrar will have a powerful lead-out train for the sprint stages.
Farrar, winner of five races this season including two stages of the Giro d'Italia will be looking to gain his first Tour stage win with the help of Julian Dean, Robbie Hunter and Martijn Maaskant. David Millar, Ryder Hesjedal, David Zabriskie and Johan Van Summeren will be the key riders to help Vande Velde when the road climbs upward and in pursuit of a place on the final podium in Paris.
“We are bringing a strong, versatile squad to the 2010 Tour de France,” said team manager Jonathan Vaughters. "The team is motivated and ready and will be sure to animate what will be an incredibly competitive Tour de France.”
Noticeably absent from the list are Danny Pate, who was on last year's Tour squad, Dan Martin, Svein Tuft and Tom Danielson - all strong Grand Tour riders who have yet to make their Tour de France debut.
“With so many riders going so well all season, selecting the Tour team was difficult,” said the team's director sportif Matt White. “But we knew we needed a squad that could support Christian for the overall, Tyler in the sprint stages, and also be on the lookout for other opportunities. We’ve certainly found the right mix in this group and I have a lot of faith in these athletes.”
Garmin-Transitions for the Tour de France
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Julian Dean (NZL) Tyler Farrar (USA) Ryder Hesjedal (CAN) Robbie Hunter (SA) Martijn Maaskant (NED) David Millar (GB) Johan Van Summeren (BEL) Christian Vande Velde (USA) David Zabriskie (USA)
Laura Weislo is a Cyclingnews veteran of 20 years. Having joined in 2006, Laura extensively covered the Operacion Puerto doping scandal, the years-long conflict between the UCI and the Tour de France organisers ASO over the creation of the WorldTour, and the downfall of Lance Armstrong and his lifetime ban for doping. As Managing Editor, Laura coordinates coverage for North American events and global news.
