Vande Velde back for the Tour de Suisse

Christian Vande Velde, who sustained major injuries after crashing out of the Giro d’Italia in May, will compete in the 2009 Tour de Suisse later this week, Garmin-Slipstream confirmed Thursday.

The Swiss tour marks Vande Velde’s return to racing following his harrowing crash in stage three of the Giro, when he suffered seven fractures, including five vertebrae, one rib and his pelvis.

No surgery was necessary and the American, who finished fifth in last year’s Tour de France, was back on his bike just days after final medical examinations and has kept up the pace ever since.

“I said from the beginning that I was motivated to get back into my racing season,” said Vande Velde. “To be honest, the recovery has been excruciating at times, but at the end of a long, hard day, I have the satisfaction of knowing I’m doing all I can to get back to my team. I’m excited to see how Suisse goes for me.”

Team manager Jonathan Vaughters said the mountainous Swiss tour will be an important test for Vande Velde ahead of the Tour de France in July.

“Christian is a fighter, and he is still recovering from very significant injuries. The Tour of Suisse will be a good gauge for him to see what kind of condition he could be in should he ride the Tour de France,” Vaughters said. “Less than a month ago he was in a hospital bed in Italy. To come back this quickly is truly a testament to his character.”

The nine-day Tour de Suisse kicks off Saturday in Liechtenstein.

FILED UNDER: News / Road TAGS: Tour de Suisse