Binche-Chimay-Binche – IAM Cycling, well represented by its young riders –

The end of season is clearly providing inspiration for several riders within the international peloton, as the 2015 edition of the Binche-Chimay-Binche is clear proof.  Otherwise known as the Memorial Frank Vandenbroucke, this race has definitely been one of the most animated, not only of the late season, but the entire year: explosive and unpredictable, like the rider whose name it bears.  These are the qualities that Ramon Sinkeldam (Giant – Alpecin) also aptly demonstrated in his successful bid to win the day ahead of a thin pack of equally motivated riders.  IAM Cycling’s Jonas Van Genechten, among the melee, came away with an impressive fourth place after an exhausting day in classic Belgian conditions.  In fact, IAM Cycling was well represented at all points of the race, and can feel very positive about its day spent in the Belgian countryside.

Coming from the back of the pack, Jonas Van Genechten managed to rebound and finish in the first few positions.  Such was the strength and force that the Belgian rider produced.  “IAM Cycling was extremely well represented on Tuesday over the roads of the Binche-Chimay-Binche,” explained Van Genechten, who recently won a stage at the Eurométropole Tour.   “I was in the last group, and then a few laps from the finish, I decided to go it alone and drag myself back up to the front of the race.  This effort probably cost me a lot of energy for the final, but since it is the end of the season, I did not want to end on a bad note.  So I went all out.  In the sprint, I did try to give it everything.  I think I could have followed Ramon Sinkeldam, but I am afraid that I was a little too far behind, so I was not able to follow.  And then finally, the third rider through the finishing corner had let a little gap to form and then there was nothing more I could do.  At that moment, I understood that I could not win.  I have no regrets, though, because I gave everything.”

Simon Pellaud is another IAM Cycling rider today who can honestly say that he spared no efforts.  As a member of the day’s main break, Pellaud was a great support for all his teammates on the hilly roads around Belgium.  “With the wind and the rain early in the race, it was important for me to show that I am capable of finishing the season off strongly,” Pellaud, who comes from the French Vaud region in Switzerland, confided after the race.  “I had a lot of strength and motivation, so I was committed to taking part in this escape.  I can say now with confidence that since the Vuelta I have turned a corner.  I really enjoyed the race on Tuesday, and I take great pleasure in general racing here in Belgium.”

This supposedly flat country is a place Thierry Marichal knows well.  A native of the region, the directeur sportif for IAM Cycling has been a great help to his riders who were often facing hazardous and challenging terrain where proper positioning is always the golden rule.  “We had a fast race from the start,” Marichal explained.  “A group of fifteen riders got away quickly.  Simon Pellaud took part in this escape, and once again he made a huge contribution to the team, and all his teammates.  Then about thirty-five riders broke off from the main peloton, and were riding between the two groups.  In that second splinter group we also had Sondre Holst Enger and Marcel Aregger.  So then we spent a lot of energy to help Jonas Van Genechten to bridge back up to the front groups.  In the end, we can be happy coming away with fourth place, which is about as well as we could have done, given the race conditions.  All our riders did their jobs very well, and I can only stress and highlight again just how strong the team’s spirit and state of mind is.”