Reichenbach, Tschopp, Hollenstein well placed at Tour of Norway

In spite of their best efforts, IAM Cycling will not win the Tour of Norway.

With the difficult queen stage arriving at Lillehammer in bright sunshine and in summer-like temperatures (25 degrees), the riders under the tutelage of Kjell Carlström and Eddy Seigneur went on the offensive.  However, it was not enough to destabilize the strong Team Sky and Edvald Boasson Hagen.  The Norwegian, who won this event last year, scored the stage win and took over the race lead.  He combined his first win of the year with the added bonus of grabbing the yellow jersey.

Johann Tschopp made his play for victory with 30 kilometers to go to the finish, but he was unable to have the necessary impact.

In the meantime, Sébastien Reichenbach put in his best effort to come back to the wheels of Boasson Hagen and Sergio Paulinho, but was unable to make the junction.

Despite a powerful and determined pull by Reto Hollenstein, the chase group remained adrift of the leading duo.

Nevertheless, by virtue of taking 5^th, 8^th and 9^th place on the stage, with Reichenbach, Tschopp and Hollenstein, respectively, the Swiss Pro Continental team took over the lead in the team classification.

Kjell Carlström expressed satisfaction with the squad’s work for the day.

“It was a good day and the team gave everything they could to win the stage.  We did not miss much.  Our first place in the team classification is a good indicator and nice consolation.  We will do everything to keep our standing on the final day.”

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