U.S. in Yellow

Not a U.S. rider, unfortunately, but a U.S. team. I previously mentioned on this blog that Garmin is now a title sponsor of a U.S. pro cycling team. They're young and in their very first Tour de France. Nevertheless, their strength is time trialing, and they were actually leading the team competition after yesterday's stage with riders in fourth and fifth. Unfortunately, they don't have any real strong climbers. They tumbled down the standings in today's first mountainous stage, although American Christian Vande Velde, their strongest contender, remains fourth overall. No one's sure he'll be able to hang with the big guns for two more weeks, but we're pulling for him.

But back to that yellow jersey. What I haven't mentioned yet is that there are two U.S. teams in this year's tour. It's kind of ironic, actually. One of Lance Armstrong's biggest rivals was Jan Ullrich, who rode for a German team most recently sponsored by T-Mobile. T-Mobile decided to pull out after last year and the team now has an American owner and is sponsored by Columbia Sportswear. Team Columbia's pretty stacked with sprinters and solid riders, including George Hincapie, an American and the only person to be on all seven of Armstrong's Tour-winning teams. Team Columbia's Kim Kirchen of Luxembourg is currently leading the race. Somewhat like Vande Velde, he's not a pure climber or pre-race favorite, but he's looked great so far. Last year's winner rode for an American team; maybe this year's will as well.