Maglia Rosa for Vande Velde as Slipstream Wins Giro TTT

Vande Velde used his and his team's time trialing skills to take the first leader's jersey of the 91st Giro d'Italia

The Slipstream team accomplished its' only major goal for the Giro d'Italia, as they won the stage one team time trial and put American veteran Christian Vande Velde into the pink leader's jersey. In what was a monumental moment for the American squad, team leader David Millar played a big role in pacing the team to the win. American time trial champ David Zabriskie was valuable too, but Vande Velde went over the line first, taking a much deserved win and the first maglia rosa of the 2008 Giro.

For team director Jonathan Vaughters, it was a best case scenario, as all of the pressure on the American team goes away now that they have the jersey. Their victory in the event marked the second time they've won a TTT, the other being at the Tour of Georgia. Looking ahead, Slipstream probably won't be able to hold onto the jersey for very long, as the Italians in the race who are close on time will be hungry to steal it away over the next few days.

Best of all is that Slipstream really validated themselves as a top-flight cycling team. No longer will pundits be able to claim they are inexperienced or unworthy of being in a given race. And for the Tour de France in July, they'll have confidence that they belong in the event, and can thrive, if only on the time trial stages. Gone also will be their underdog status; they'll no longer be able to take anyone by surprise, and will be marked as a dangerous team in any race they attend.

Now that Vande Velde has the pink tunic, expect him and the Slipstream team to do all they can to keep it within the argyle kit. History tells us that once a rider takes a leader's jersey, they have just that little bit more motivation within them, which allows them to do great things. Vande Velde won't be keen on giving up his jersey without a fight, and he possesses the all-around skills to remain at the front of the race in any given stage. It on't be easy though, as the stacked Giro field will be breathing down his neck around every corner and on every climb.

Slipstream to Giro: All for TTT

The "Argyle gang" will look to pour the bubbly after stage one of the Giro

The Slipstream team will have a golden opportunity to take a grand tour leader's jersey this Saturday at the 91st Giro d'Italia. At 23.6 kilometers long, the team time trial course in Palermo, Sicily will give the "Argyle Gang" a real shot at winning the first stage and putting one of their guys into the Maglia Rosa of race leader. Although a technical course, the team time trial should suit Slipstream well.

British time trial champ Milar will lead Slipstream's efforts in the Giro TTT

If they can manage to take the win on stage one, Slipstream could presumably hold the jersey until stage seven, when the road really begins to turn upward. Stages two through 6 are no cakewalk though, so defending the jersey will be difficult. Expect Slipstream to let the jersey go before stage seven should they be lucky enough to win stage one.

Zabriskie will be a huge part of Slipstream's team time trial team at the Giro

In looking at the team's chances for the entire Giro, there doesn't seem to be anyone riding for the team that can hang tough in the high mountains. Danny Pate and Christian Vande Velde are good climbers, but neither has ever shown themselves capable of following the world's best. Expect the Giro as a whole to be a primer for the young American squad, as they gain valuable knowledge ahead of the July Tour de France.