Christian Vande Velde facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Christian Vande Velde

Vande Velde at the 2011 Tour de France
Personal information
Full name	Christian Vande Velde
Nickname	VDV, CVV
Born	(1976-05-22) May 22, 1976 (age 49) Lemont, Illinois, U.S.
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Weight	69 kg (152 lb; 10.9 st)
Team information
Current team	Retired
Discipline	Road
Role	Rider
Rider type	All-rounder
Major wins
Grand Tours Tour de France 1 TTT stage (2011) Giro d'Italia 2 TTT stages (2008, 2012) Stage races Tour de Luxembourg (2006) Tour of Missouri (2008) USA Pro Cycling Challenge (2012)

Christian Vande Velde (born May 22, 1976) is a retired American professional road racing cyclist. He rode his bike professionally from 1998 to 2013. Christian comes from a Belgian family.

He rode for several teams during his career. These included U.S. Postal Service, Liberty Seguros, Team CSC, and Garmin–Sharp. Since 2014, he has worked as a cycling expert for NBC Sports. Christian's father, John Vande Velde, was also a cyclist.

Christian's Cycling Career

Early Years: 1998–2006

Christian Vande Velde began his big cycling races, called Grand Tours, in 1998. His first was the 1998 Vuelta a España. Here, he helped his teammate Lance Armstrong finish in fourth place.

Christian was part of the Tour de France team that won in 1999 and 2001. In the 1999 Tour de France, he was even the leader of the best young rider group for a while. He did not race in the 2000 Tour de France.

In 2004, Christian moved to the Liberty Seguros team. Then, in 2005, he joined Team CSC. During these years, he often worked as a domestique. This means he helped his team captains win races.

Even so, in 2005, Christian took some chances for himself. For example, he was part of a group that broke away from the main pack in the Eneco Tour. This group was slowed down when the main group was sent the wrong way.

At the 2006 Tour de Luxembourg, Christian showed he was very strong in the mountains. This helped him win the entire race.

In the 2006 Tour de France, he continued to be a domestique for his team. He helped his team captains, Carlos Sastre and Fränk Schleck, in the tough mountain stages. He was one of the best climbers on the team.

Big Races and Challenges: 2007–2011

In 2008, Christian's team, Slipstream–Chipotle, won a team time trial. This meant Christian became the first American to wear the pink jersey. This jersey shows the leader of the Giro d'Italia since 1988.

Christian finished fourth in the 2008 Tour de France. He was also seventeenth in the Olympic Road Race. He won the 2008 Tour of Missouri that same year. In the 2009 Tour de France, Christian finished seventh overall.

Christian had some bad luck with crashes. In 2009 and 2010, he had to leave the Giro d'Italia early because of crashes. In the 2010 Tour de France, he also had to stop. This was after he broke two ribs in a crash caused by oil on the road.

During the 2011 Tour de France, Christian helped his teammate Tom Danielson finish in the top ten. His team, Garmin–Cervélo, also won the team award. Christian finished second in the 2011 USA Pro Cycling Challenge, a very close race.

Later Career and Retirement: 2012–2013

In the 2012 Giro d'Italia, Christian was very important for his team leader, Ryder Hesjedal. He helped protect Ryder in the mountain stages, leading to Ryder's victory. Christian even shared a room with Ryder during the race. He told Velo News that winning the Giro felt "surreal."

Christian had more crashes in the 2012 Tour de France. However, he still finished second in one stage. He lost a close sprint to the finish line. Many fans thought Christian was a very popular rider.

In the 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge, Christian did very well in the final stage. He finished second in the individual time trial. This amazing ride helped him win the overall race. He took the leader's jersey from Levi Leipheimer.

Christian's first race in 2013, the 2013 Volta a Catalunya, ended with a crash. He broke a bone in his hand. He then started the 2013 Giro d'Italia, hoping to help Ryder Hesjedal win again. But Ryder had to leave the race early. Christian struggled and finished 110th overall.

After the Giro, Christian rode in the 2013 Tour de France. He had to leave this race too, because of injuries from an earlier crash. He then tried to win the 2013 USA Pro Cycling Challenge again. He finished twenty-second overall, with his best result being ninth in a time trial.

Christian Vande Velde officially stopped racing professionally after the 2013 UCI World Team Time Trial Championships.

Important Information About Christian's Career

In 2012, Christian Vande Velde admitted to using banned substances during a part of his career. This led to a suspension from racing for six months. Some of his past race results from June 2004 to April 2006 were also removed. Christian later said he regretted his choice to use these substances.

Christian's Life Outside of Cycling

Christian Vande Velde lives in Greenville, South Carolina. He lives there with his wife, Leah, and their two daughters. He went to Lemont High School when he was younger.

Career Achievements

Major Results

Grand Tour Results Over Time

Grand Tour	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013
Giro d'Italia	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	114	—	—	52	DNF	DNF	—	22	110
Tour de France	—	85	—	DNF	—	—	56	—	22	24	4	7	DNF	16	60	DNF
Vuelta a España	90	—	—	—	25	—	—	31	—	39	—	—	58	—	—	—

Did not finish = DNF; In progress = IP; Voided results = struck through.

Images for kids

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  Christian Vande Velde in 2006

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  Christian Vande Velde at the 2010 Tour de France

See also

In Spanish: Christian Vande Velde para niños