Classic de l’Indre – Matteo Pelucchi: «I was missing a bit of punch»

In Châteauroux (Indre), the spectators mingled with all the cyclists.  Still feeling the afterglow of Martin Elmiger’s recent victory at the Tour du Limousin, IAM Cycling attracted the interest of autograph hunters before and after the 10^th edition of the Châteauroux Classic de L’Indre Trophée Fenioux.  Even under comfortably overcast skies and temperatures hovering around 19 degrees Celsius, directeur sportif  Eddy Seigneur did not feel that everything worked out as he would have hoped.

“The guys were warned.  Aside from Sébastien Hinault and Matteo Pelucchi, who we were saving for the sprint, everyone else was supposed to find their way into the breakaways.  The wind was favorable but the escape of four men quickly took enough time that we were not obliged to work that much.  FDJ and Europcar were eager to control and we did our work.  In the final circuits, we even took the lead before the final passage and avoided a big crash.” 

Indeed, on the circuit, which was 7 kilometers long and lapped 5 times, the final regrouping of the bunch occurred with less than 25 kilometers left to race.  And in the mass sprint, it was Bryan Coquard (Europcar) who proved he was fastest on the day.

Though he had every ambition to win, Sébastien Hinault, a 39 year old veteran of the squad talked about not being able to capitalize on his vast experience.  “I did not have the necessary explosiveness required to win and I was aced out.  But the team did excellent work, though maybe a little too early.” 

On the other hand, Matteo Pelucchi, who with his 6^th place finish was the best placed IAM Cycling rider for the day, apologized to his teammates.  “All the guys did their best.  I was perfectly placed on Coquard’s wheel at the beginning of the sprint.  I grabbed his wheel when he launched his sprint on the right.  But I was missing a little strength to go over him.  I’m sorry for the team after their hard work, but I missed a bit of rhythm after 20 days at home.  The sensations are good and I will keep hoping for my chances at the Tour du Poitou-Charentes.”