DVV / GP E3 / Gent-Wevelgem – Jérôme Pineau «The race can be decided at any time»

Belgium will be on the classics specialists’ menu for a while after next week.  Dwars door Vlaanderen, GP E3 and Gent-Wevelgem will serve as the appetizers before the main course, the Tour of Flanders, takes place on Easter Sunday.  On the heels of Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico, IAM Cycling will be working to animate these races and hopefully take some UCI points with its leaders Sylvain Chavanel and Heinrich Haussler.

Jérôme Pineau, who is focusing on helping his leaders, nevertheless can thing clearly and with great enthusiasm about his coming appointments in Belgium.  “The legs feel good.  I am looking forward to racing Dwars door Vlaanderen and GP E3.  I discovered these races for the first time last year since before when I was on Quick Step, it was hard to find a place in the team for the Belgian races.  These tests are friendly and playful.  There are many changes in direction, with wind, narrow roads, and cobbles.  The team strategy weighs less.  It’s important to be well place at all times because the race can be decided at any moment.  In fact, it reminds me of my training roads, minus the pavé.”

At 35 years old, Pineau, who is a keen FC Nantes supporter, notes the importance of the upcoming races for the Swiss professional team.  “We have a strong and cohesive group for the coming races.  I hope we can run a beautiful classics campaign this year and grab a lot of points.  It is always important to start well.  This gives you momentum for the future.  We shouldn’t neglect the psychological aspect of the results, both for the racers and the staff.”

– – UPDATE – –

Reto Hollenstein and Vicente Reynes out of Dwars door Vlaanderen.

Reto Hollenstein (30) and Vicente Reynes (33) will not be taking the start tomorrow morning at the Dwars door Vlaanderen.  Both IAM Cycling riders are suffering from terrible colds, and neither will be replaced.  Every attempt will be made in order that these two classic specialists will be able to return to their best in time for the Gent-Wevelgem on Sunday.

Dwars Door Vlaanderen (Wednesday, 25th March)
Roeselare – Waregem,  200,2 km (11h45 – 16h23)
More information on the race www.ddvl.eu
Twitter @DwarsdrVlaander

GP E3 (Friday, 27th March)
Harelbeke – Harelbeke,  215,3 km (12h00 – 16h54)
More information on the race www.e3-harelbeke.be
Twitter @E3Harelbeke

Gand – Wevelgem (Sunday, 29th March)
Deinze – Wevelgem,  240,2 km (11h20 – 16h53)
More information on the race www.gent-wevelgem.be
Twitter @GentWevelgem