Team Garmin-Transitions' U.S. rider Christian Vande Velde was slated to undergo surgery on his injured shoulder in Antwerp on Tuesday after crashing in the 2010 Giro d'Italia.

The crash occurred during Monday's third stage in the Netherlands. Today is a Giro d'Italia rest day.

Vande Velde also crashed during the third stage of last year's Giro d'Italia, sustaining five broken vertebrae, a broken pelvis and broken ribs. He came back to finish eighth in the Tour de France.

Vande Velde said he "will do everything I can to be on the start line at the Tour de France."

Vande Velde added "The amount of support I've received is overwhelming, so I just want to thank everyone. You never want to leave a race like this, and it is frustrating that it has happened for the second year in a row here, especially coming off Tyler's win yesterday. I really wanted to be here to be a part of everything that comes next - whether it be helping David get into pink or just being part of the team here. "I'll be rooting for them at home, though."

Team Garmin-Transitions' sports director Matt White added that "Christian is incredibly strong and motivated. He has proven that over and over again. We will make sure he gets everything he needs to be able to heal, but he has already showed the world what he can come back from. The team will continue to race hard here at the Giro and we'll be thinking of Christian."

The whole team here at Roadcycling.com wishes Vande Velde a speedy recovery and a great result in the 2010 Tour de France.

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