September 10, 2009 (Rolla, Missouri) – Before the start of Stage Three at the Tour of Missouri, we had an opportunity to chat with Jonathan Vaughters, Team Director of Garmin-Slipstream. Garmin-Slipstream is here competing with an entirely American squad of riders, recently hurt by the departure of their leader, Christian Vande Velde, at the start of Stage 2. Vande Velde suffered a hairline fracture to his hand during a crash in the finishing sprint on day one. Even though Garmin is in Missouri with an all-American squad, there are three, top-notch Canadian riders on the team – Svein Tuft, Ryder Hesjedal and Christian Meier – competing for Garmin at the Vuelta a Espana.

Has the team dynamic changed substantially since Christian’s injury and departure?
Jonathan Vaughters: Well he is our road captain for sure so we have to stay on top of things a little bit more. However as far as winning the race or not? We still have Dave Zabriskie who stands as good a chance as anybody.

Garmin-Slipstream is the “all-American team” and Planet Energy is the “all-Canadian team” but you have three Canadians riding for you now at the Vuelta.
JV: Yeah! Ryder got second on the stage yesterday!

What are your perceptions of the Canadian riders?
JV: Well we have our three competing at the Vuelta so they are the entire Canadian contingent for Garmin at the Vuelta a Espana.

What about Planet Energy? How do think they’re doing here at their first big American stage race?
JV: Yesterday they had Francois [Parisien] in the breakaway. Frank is an aggressive rider and always has been. Yesterday was the first day that I really saw them race. I know that Frank is a great rider; he used to ride for me.

Any other up and coming Canadians on your development squad?
JV: Nothing on our U23 team but Christian Meier is only 24 and he is on the pro team. He is one of our favourite riders on the team.

Do you think that this tour will be back next year?
JV: Well I don’t really know what the politics are behind that decision but I do think it is a popular race and that Missouri should want it back.

Have any of your riders committed to riding at the Road Worlds?
JV: Well most of my guys who would ride Worlds are over in Europe so I don’t know. Zabriskie may ride the time trial if he’s feeling good after this race. Tim Duggan might ride Worlds.

This is the first time that the US can send a full squad to the Worlds.
JV: Yes it is but Christian is not going obviously and Zabriskie has had a long season so the guys who will be doing Worlds for us are in Europe now.

Any insights as to what you think the Canadians need to do to continue to produce top level riders?
JV: I don’t know. I have always had good experiences with Canadian riders. They are tough, hard-working, somewhat like the Australians – journeyman cyclists.

Like a yet “undiscovered” pool of talent?
JV: Yes. I have always had good luck with them.

So with that, the call for the riders to get to sign in took Vaughters away.