Tour de France 101: Americans to watch in 2011

Seven-time Tour winner Lance Armstrong isn't riding, but there are plenty of other fast Americans.

5. Christian Vande Velde, Garmin-Cervélo

Pascal Pavani/AFP/Getty Images/ File
Christian Vande Velde rides to victory in the fourth stage of the Paris-Nice cycling race in March 2009.

Vande Velde has been plagued by crashes in recent years, but he has proven to be a top 10 contender when healthy. His best Tour de France finish was fourth in 2008. This year doesn’t look good for the Illinois native to podium, but he will look for opportunities to take a stage win.

You can read his official team bio, follow him on Twitter (@ChristianVDV), or check out his fan club.

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