15 June 2016
IAM Cycling
THE QUOTE
I saw a very good Jarlinson Pantano, Rik Verbrugghe said just after the finish of the first mountain stage at the Tour de Suisse. He stayed with the best riders until the last meters, and even tried his own attack with two kilometers to go.
THE EXPLANATION
Rik Verbrugghe, sports manager for IAM Cycling, spoke of a day of contrasts for the team. The stage was very fast with a vigorous initial brawl to get in the break. Dries Devenyns found his place among the 24 who did manage to escape. But I would have liked to have seen a second rider from our team up there, too. Similarly, Mathias Frank was able to limit the damage on that final climb since he has been still suffering from some health problems that he picked up before the start of the Tour de Suisse.
THE FACT OF THE DAY
Darwin Atapuma (BMC) took an impressive victory from the break while Pierre Latour (AG2R) snatched the yellow jersey under the nose of the favorites in this first battle on this novel 10 kilometer climb to Cari, a small ski station in the Leventina located above Faido.
THE ANALYSIS
As provided by Jarlinson Pantano. It was again a demanding stage, and we have similarly difficult stages to come. My legs turned out to be going well, and I am confident for the future.
THE APPEAL
A downcast Mathias Frank could only be disappointed after conceding to the other favorites 121 in the last two kilometers of the stage, though he is not really fully healthy and in perfect condition. I am not happy, of course, although I have taken over the jersey for the best Swiss rider. I felt comfortable over the Furka, but then things started going poorly. When we were at higher altitudes and when the pace accelerated, I just couldnt get enough air. I could not breathe normally, and at this level, there is just no forgiveness. That was painfully evident for me in the final kilometers of the last ascent.
Race Pictures – BettiniPhoto
