Aleksejs Saramotins wins the Tour du Doubs for IAM Cycling

The clear air of the Jura gave wings this weekend to the riders of IAM Cycling.  Less than 24 hours after Matthias Brändle’s victory in Porrentruy at the end of the Tour du Jura, Aleksejs Saramotins followed up his second place on Saturday with the victory today, giving IAM Cycling its 12 win of the season.

To sweeten the success, Saramotins, who is the current road race champion of Latvia, took his victory by out-sprinting a certain Thomas Voeckler (Europcar).  Suffice it to say that performances are a dream come true for the team lead by Marcello (Mr. Lucky, as he was known during his time at Cervélo) Albasini.

He had only big congratulations to offer his riders, soaking up all the great emotions that accompany the successes.  “We managed to win, but for a while there, I was concerned that our efforts would backfire.  It was a pretty crazy race, partly because the weather conditions can only be described as adverse, and partly because there was serious competition here with teams like FDJ, Europcar and Cofidis sending top riders.  We went in every breakaway and at one point I doubted we’d have enough firepower.  I was convinced we were doing too much.  Saramotins told me he was dead after his efforts from Saturday.  But he had a Winforce gel and that gave him the energy he needed to rejoin the trio at the front that contained Voeckler, just under the flamme rouge.  So when the jury announced that Saramotins won the sprint in a photo finish, I was really very happy.  The guys have worked very hard for this win and Alex managed to put the cherry on the top of the cake for the weekend.”

For his part, the hero of the day, Aleksejs Saramotins has rarely savored a victory as much as he has this first triumph while wearing the IAM Cycling colors.

“It’s too good; it’s too good to win like that because I did not have the amazing legs that I had yesterday.  I was dead at the end and I really had to dig so deep.  I somehow found the energy in spite of the fact Voeckler made two little digs in the sprint attempts.  This victory for me, like Matthias’ yesterday, is particularly sweet because I have waited so long for it.  That makes it all the more beautiful.”