A perfect Tour du Jura for Matthias Brändle

IAM Cycling dominated the head and the legs of the Tour du Jura.

In the 189.3 kilometer race between Saignelégier and Porrentruy, the Swiss Pro Continental team notched up its 11^th win of the season.  Marcello Albasini’s talented protégés actually scored a double thanks to the splendid solo victory by Matthias Brändle and then Aleksejs Saramotins taking the sprint for second place in front of Andrea Piechele (Ceramica Flaminia).

Trainer and director Marcello Albasini  welcomed the collective excellent performance of the IAM Cycling riders, with Jonathan Fumeaux (8^th) and Sébastien Hinault (9^th) also figuring in the top 10.

“The competition was tougher than when Marcel Wyss dominated the Tour of Bern, but the guys have really mastered their lessons.  Matthias Brändle went first with four other guys and then Saramotins from kilometer 3.  The rest of the peloton never saw them again.  And after an unsuccessful first attempt to breakaway with 60 kilometers to go, Brändle rode away from his companions and was on his own for something like 40 kilometers to claim his first road victory of the year.  Behind him, the other guys stood in solidarity.  I enjoyed seeing Johann Tschopp back in the group after his injury.  He was comfortable on the climbs.  I’m happy for him.” 

As the youngest winner of the day (23 years old), and only called up at the last minute for the race, the Austrian time trial champion did not hide his pleasure at his success.

“I am very happy and proud of this first success on the road in the IAM Cycling colors.  I can even say finally, because I have been waiting a long time for this bouquet.  But today everything went like a dream.  I felt good and I went from the second kilometer before seeing the other four guys and Aleksejs.  I said we had to win.  The tactic was to attack in turn.  When I managed to slip away from the break, I just went into time trial mode, which is perfect training anyways for the time trial World Championships in Florence.  I was really in super form.”

photos 1 & 3 courtesy of –  Georges Henz – radio RFJ