Taylor Phinney Will Race His First Tour de France

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The Cannondale-Drapac‏ rider is a long shot to win, but he gives fans another personality to root for. – By Molly Hurford

Cannondale-Drapac‏ is doing a slow reveal of the riders who made its squad for the 2017 Tour de France, which starts next Saturday. One of the first announced should please American Tour fans: Popular racer Taylor Phinney, who will be competing in his first Tour. So far the only other rider named to the nine-person team is Alberto Bettiol.

We're revealing our #TDF2017 rider-by-rider, starting NOW! We're thrilled to announce @LeTour debutant @taylorphinney as first #GreenArgyle. http://pic.twitter.com/CMn6jOignk

— Cannondale-Drapac (@Ride_Argyle) June 23, 2017

“This is the big show,” Phinney said. “This is the biggest show we’ve got. I seem to be able to rise to the occasion when the show is big enough. I love it. Making the Tour de France is a dream come true.”

The longtime Tour hopeful has bounced back from a devastating leg injury in 2014. Then he missed out on Paris-Roubaix this year after suffering from a concussion in Flanders, but he competed in the recent Tour de Suisse, where he scored 13th in the time trial.

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The selection wasn’t guaranteed, and even last Saturday Phinney could only wait and hope he made the cut.

On the real though. I am so happy to be almost done with this race. Been brutal but great load going into hopefully my first TDF baby !

— Taylor Phinney (@taylorphinney) June 17, 2017

Phinney will be a long shot for the podium, but his colorful style, creativity, and legit time-trial skills will gave race fans plenty of reasons to root for him in July.

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