06 September 2016
IAM Cycling
THE EXLAMATION
Given by Jonathan Fumeaux: IAM Cycling certainly still intends to play a leading role through till the end of the season, just as we have tried to do since the very beginning of the adventure that started in 2013.
THE QUOTE
Again offered by Jonathan Fumeaux: With Jarlinson Pantano, Heinrich Haussler, Oliver Naesen, and Martin Elmiger, we have a great team that can be on hand when the final victory will be decided.
THE EXPLANATION
Once more from Jonathan Fumeaux: After Plouay, I took three days to recover. Then I was back at work doing some quality base training as well as a 5 ½ hour session in order to get myself up to speed in time for these two important World Tour races.
THE WEATHER
Potentially stormy weather with a pleasant temperature of 21° has been forecasted in Quebec for the race on Friday, September 9th, while meteorologists have predicted a temperature of 23° in Montreal with the chance of some showers near the end of the event.
THE ANECDOTE
After having raced at the Tour of Poland, the Tour of Utah, and the Brittany Classic Ouest France in Plouay, Jonathan Fumeaux will have the opportunity to race in his magnificent Swiss champion’s jersey for the fourth time, on this occasion in Canada.
THE NUMBER
3893 – In meters, that is the altitude gain that the riders will face at the GP de Montreal, while they will scale 2976 meters in the race around Quebec.
THE ANALYSIS
Offered by Rik Verbrugghe, sports manager for the Swiss World Tour team. On paper, Montreal is more difficult because the climbs are longer than those well face in Quebec. However, for a circuit race, everything depends on the riders and their desire to make the race difficult. We must keep the same aggressive mindset that the team went with to Plouay and that we have seen from our guys at La Vuelta. We have several strong riders who can make a difference in multiple areas, whether were focusing on getting into the breaks with someone like Oliver Naesen, or making use of our punchy riders Jarlinson Pantano, Heinrich Haussler and Martin Elmiger in view of the finish.
THE TIP
Rik Verbrugghe on the finish: The two races end virtually in the same way with a false flat of around 4%. At Quebec, the slight incline starts right around the flamme rouge, while in Montreal, it starts with around 560 meters remaining. It is important not to anticipate things too much since the sprint is usually down to a small group of riders; very rarely do you see a larger peloton playing for the win.
LINE-UP Grand Prix Cycliste Québec & Montréal
Pictures – Mathilde L’Azou & IAM Cycling
