ENECO Tour – Matthias Brändle – A top-5 is always good for the confidence –

THE EXCLAMATION

Matthias Brändle: “Taking a place in the top-5 is always good for the confidence”

THE QUOTE

Again by Matthias Brändle: “With the exception of the two stages at the Tour de Fjords and then the time trial at the European Championships last week, I hadn’t raced in an official event for two months.”

THE EXPLANATION

Offered by Matthias Brändle once again. “I am satisfied with my result. I am racing this tour mainly as preparation for the world championships in the time trial at Doha. There is still work to do, but I am motivated for that event, and indeed am also keen to help the IAM Cycling team during Friday’s team time trial where we can aim for the podium.”

THE STORY

The friendly rivalry between teammates Matthias Brändle and Martin Elmiger continues. They were tied 1-1 after the Tour de Suisse, but since Brändle’s time at the ENECO Tour was eight seconds faster than Elmiger’s, the advantage now rests with the former world hour record holder.

THE ANALYSIS

From Thierry Marichal, directeur sportif for IAM Cycling. “The guys lived up to our expectations. This bodes well for the team time trial on Friday where everyone expects important gaps to be created before the decisive weekend. With assets like Dries Devenyns, Oliver Naesen, Martin Elmiger and Reto Hollenstein, we have some of the best guys for this discipline. Of course today, Rohan Dennis (BMC) was just untouchable.”

THE MENU FOR THE DAY

Barring any unexpected surprises, the pan-flat route that takes the riders 186 kilometers from Blankenberge to Ardooie should end in a mass sprint.

Pictures – IAM Cycling