30 March 2016
IAM Cycling
THE APPEAL
We are starting this to do well and aim for the top-10, Rik Verbrugghe, sports manager for IAM Cycling, explained. We cannot only be satisfied with a good place. I have asked the guys to be present, on the offensive and opportunistic throughout the day. We have strong riders who can compete with the best and can even play for the win.
THE QUOTE
I admit it, even if its a bit late, but we made a mistake at Gent-Wevelgem,” commented Heinrich Haussler while at home honing his form in preparation for Flanders. Back to his best as his 7th place at Milan-San Remo proves, the Australian puncheur for the Swiss professional team is dreaming of victory bouquets. My sensations are good. We have a great team. Everything has been designed to allow us to shine for this second monument of the season.
THE EXPLANATION
With the support of his directeurs sportifs Thierry Marichal and Eddy Seigneur for the race, Rik Verbrugghe enthused about De Ronde whose list of winners includes only the names of great champions. The beauty of this race is in the concentration of climbs and cobbled sections. It is essential to conserve your energies before throwing all your strength into the finale where the slightest moment of inattention can cost you everything.
THE CHALLENGER
Dries Devenyns, winner of the GP La Marseillaise this year, and 11th at the GP E3 has been rehearsing for the Tour of Flanders. He, along with Martin Elmiger and Heinrich Haussler, would like to offer Michel Thétaz, CEO of IAM (manager of the IAMFUNDS.CH investment firm), the teams first victory in a classic on the World Tour calendar.
THE MEMORY
April 5, 2015, when Martin Elmiger took an excellent 10th place, not without regret, in the race that was won convincingly by Alexander Kristoff. Dries Devenyns (21st) and Heinrich Haussler (26th) were also able to join the top-30 for that race.
THE WEATHER
After the gusty winds and rains that accompanied Gent-Wevelgem, the weather should be more forgiving for this holy week highlight for the cycling fans in Belgium. The meteorologists have forecasted sun and 19 degrees Celsius for the day.
THE NUMBER
264 – In kilometers, that is the distance of this 100th edition where the riders will also face no fewer than 18 bergs and will cover seven cobbled sections.
LINE-UP Ronde Van Vlaanderen
Pictures – BettiniPhoto
