Measuring Success

While the Gamin/Chipotle-H3O boys did not win any stages and finished just outside of the top-3 overall, their 2008 TdF performance was absolutely tremendous and in our eyes, nothing short of total success. On the shoulders of fifth place GC finisher Christian (left), who by any method of measure is having a career year, the team rode brilliantly. Christian moved into GC contention from the opening stage and never fell out of the top-6. He TT'ed like a monster, climbed like a goat, and did evenything he needed to do when it counted.

And the team rocked.

Will's participation in a 4-man all-day break and 2nd place stage finish in stage 3; David's 3rd in stage 4; Danny's 3rd on alpine stage 13; sprinter Julian with six (count 'em) top-10 stage finishes; and the complete support of Maggie, Trent, Ryder and Martijn - it all adds up to what looks like a prett smart decision by ASO to awarding a starting spot to the argyle armada.

For us, the fact that the team was able to utilize the new Felt AR, along with all of their other top-tier Felt rigs - the F1, Z1 and DA - it means we've hit another milestone. It's a great feeling in our little camp. What's extra cool for us is that we just present the equipment to the team and make it available. After that, they decide what they are using and when.

Now that the TdF is over, the team will undoubtedly head different directions, some hitting the Euro post-tour crit's while others (Christian, Julian & Ryder) grab a bit of rest before the run-up to Beijing. The Olympics are another story - should be good!

Being away all day with Will

With the 2008 Tour de France in full swing, the Felt-riding Garmin/Chipotle-H3O boys are already making a big impact on things. Stage 3 produced an epic ride - a breakaway from the gun by four brave souls including our own Will Frischkorn. Breaks like this are usually doomed to fail with the pack never letting the lead build to an insurmountable distance. But, for whatever reason - a slow responding or unorganized main group, more in the tank by the breakaway quartet than the other teams thought, changing road and weather conditions, or other - this break stuck. What is particularly interesting about Will's ride was that he was the primary instigator and one of the real workhorses. And, oh yeah...he rode our new aerodynamically superior road bike - the AR. It was a perfect situation for this bike - a setting where every advantage was needed. Just a few hours after his ride, Will dropped a note to our road product manager, Super Dave, and said this:

"Talk about a perfect day for the AR! That thing is made for the breakaways and I got to take advantage today for sure. Sorry to be quick - pretty crazy here right now, but seriously, thank you guys for all the support of the team and some sick rigs... I don't know why aerodynamics gets so much attention but is seemingly forgotten about on road bikes... A team on the front, or when guys are in breaks... Pretty damn important."

Right on, Will. We are stoked to have been a part of such a huge day for you and the team!

Getting ready for the Big Dance

As if getting ready for the Tour de France weren't enough, Team Slipstream/Chipotle-H3O had to rebrand it itself into Garmin/Chipotle-H3O at the same time. No small feat when you think of the business of re-wrapping cars, buses, new clothing, equipment and so much more. Have a look as VeloNews goes inside the team's Girona, Spain headquarters with team wrench, Kevin Grove.