Matthias Brändle on the podium at the Polynormande

IAM Cycling will fondly remember the 28^th of July.  The riders from the Swiss Pro Continental team excelled on all fronts.

photo / Etienne Garnier

After taking an impressive top two placings at the Italian semi-classic in Pescara (Trophée Matteotti), IAM Cycling had Matthias Brändle top off the day for the Swiss team by taking second place at the Polynormande, 14 seconds behind Jose Goncalves (La Pomme Marseille).

The young Austrian, who had been unfairly disqualified by the UCI jury commissioners at the Tour of Austria, responded in the most satisfying fashion by managing his race perfectly, under the guidance of Eddy Seigneur.

Seigneur was delighted with the performance of his team in every way.

“Despite the rain and cool temperatures of 17-18 degrees, the guys rode well from the start.  Saramotins made the first breakaway after 15 kilometers.  And when the race really began with 60 kilometers to go, it was Matthias Brändle who mingled with the counter attack group.  He managed to hold the wheels of the best just until the flamme rouge when Goncalves made his move.  But Matthias didn’t give up and managed to win the sprint for 2^nd place out of a small group of four arriving together.  Suffice it to say that all the guys on the team more than lived up to expectations today.”