Jonathan Vaughters has confirmed three new signings to his Team Slipstream squad for 2008, including the widely rumoured move of Briton David Millar. The American, who has set his sights on taking Slipstream to the Tour de France in 2008, has been courting some high profile riders for his '08 Professional Continental squad's lineup and has finally confirmed Saunier Duval's Millar as one of them.
In addition to Millar, Vaughters has reportedly confirmed on Eurosport the recruitment of two Team CSC stars in Christian Vande Velde and Dave Zabriskie.
Vaughters, the former pro rider who is stridently anti-doping, is hopeful of gaining a wildcard entry into next year's Tour as a transitional move to purchasing a ProTour licence for the 2009 season. The former pro cyclist recently denied rumours the squad was hoping to join the ProTour next season. "That is not even a consideration," he said earlier to Cyclingnews. "I haven't even examined how that works. We had a great meeting with Pat McQuaid and the head of the ProTour and asked them what they think the best thing for us to do is.
"They basically said it's a mistake to grow a team too fast, and if you have a relationship with the ASO then it is better to wait one year and transition to how the logistics work at that level," he said. "Just stay focused on getting into that race, first of all, and second actually racing in it."
The signing of three experienced Tour de France riders is a step in the right direction for the team owned and underpinned by New York business investor Doug Ellis.
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