Johann Tschopp in with a shot at Tour of Oman

“He is a phenomenon.  There is nothing else to say.”  Kjell Carlström couldn’t help but to praise Peter Sagan (Cannondale), who won the very challenging fourth stage of the Tour of Oman.

While recognizing the extraordinary talent of the Slovakian rider, the IAM Cycling directeur sportif also was pleased to emphasize the merits of his own team.

“I am so proud of their work.  They really had a good stage, and we have Thomas Löfkvist (9th) and Johann Tschopp (15th) well-placed on the eve of the arrival at the top of Green Mountain.  Martin Elmiger put in an enormous amount of work to keep Thomas Löfkvist, Johann Tschopp and Mathias Frank well within striking distance for the final.  Unfortunately, Frank was ejected from the front bunch on that final pass up the climb.  It was a tough task to go four times over the hill that had 3.5% average grade for 9 kilometers.  But our guys are riding to their schedules, and there is no need to worry.”

Johann Tschopp (31 years old) is already satisfied with his recovery.

“The conditions are ideal with a temperature hovering around 21°.  It is not as hot as last year, and that suits me fine.  I’m still in the game and I am feeling better.  It pleases me to be in this position especially since we still have the summit finish on Saturday.  In this sort of climb, it is the legs that do the talking.  It will be an interesting test for me as well as Thomas and Mathias, who are also going better and better.  At the end of the Tour of Oman, we will be in a position to have the necessary data that will help us to refine our form ahead of the first big goals of the season.” 

The rider from the Valais region in Switzerland also is keen to highlight the excellent spirit and unity that prevails within the Swiss Pro Continental team.

“Everyone does his work to the best of his abilities.  We lost a friend and teammate this week, and there are no words to describe this tragedy.  But then everyone just needs to roll up his sleeves and determine to stick together.  After we decided to stay in the race, we became even closer to each other.  There is really now a sacred union among us all, so to speak, since we are all sharing in the emotion that has been brought out by Kristof’s death.”