With Christian Vande Velde named to the Garmin-Barracuda, it means the Lemont native is right in the position he wanted to be in at the beginning of the year. He's dug deep since fracturing bones in 2009 and 2010 to come back to the Tour as an elder statesman.
This is a quote from Vande Velde in January:
"I'd like to be in the top ten, top five again in the Tour de France," he told VeloNation, setting out his goals. "It is definitely a great parcours for myself this year, with the three time trails and not so many mountain top finishes. I'm really looking forward to it
"I have the same aim as I did last year...to arrive healthy at the Tour de France, and take it from there. I know that if I get through the Giro and rest up well, then I will definitely be in with a shout in the Tour."
SB Nation Chicago is your source for 2012 Tour De France updates, and be sure to visit cycling blog Podium Cafe as well.