06 April 2016
IAM Cycling
THE PODIUM PLACES
For the second day of racing at the Circuit Cycliste Sarthe, three different IAM Cycling riders claimed podium positions. For the first of the dual stage day, which was an 85.1 kilometer trek that ended in a sprint, Matteo Pelucchi only just missed out on the victory by taking a close second. And it was even closer for the second stage of the day which was a 6.8 kilometer individual time trial in the afternoon. There Jérôme Coppel and Matthias Brändle both had victory snatched from them by the narrowest of one second margins. Both IAM Cycling riders ended just a second off the winner Anton Vorobyev (Katusha).
THE STATEMENT
“Although I am satisfied with my ride, it’s tough to lose by such a small margin,” says Matthias Brändle. You always wonder where you lost that second. Still, this result gives me a lot of confidence going forward. Considering that last year Jérôme was the bronze medalists at the world championships in the time trial, and Vorobyev was 2012 U23 World time trial champion, its not such a bad result. The prologue at the Giro is my big goal, and I still have some time to prepare before that.
THE ANALYSIS
Lionel Marie, directeur sportif for the IAM Cycling team, also came away from the time trial feeling a little frustrated. Once again we missed the victory by just a hairs breath. This time, we took second and third, no less, and by less than a second, Marie exclaimed. Thanks also to strong rides by Sondre Holst Enger (10th) and Mathias Frank (11th), we were the best team for the day. Nevertheless, we have not given up on the chance for a stage win, and we will keep trying. Tomorrow is a new day.
THE NUMBER
4 – In the time trial, there were four IAM Cycling riders among the top-11 finishers. In addition to the two podiums from Coppel and Brändle, Sondre Holst Enger and Mathias Frank grabbed the 10th and 11th places as well.
THE OVERALL
Jérôme Coppel, the French national time trial champion, has taken control of the second place in the overall classification after his ride Wednesday afternoon. Close behind him are teammates Sondre Holst Enger (5th) and Mathias Frank (10th), with just two more stages to go in the race.
Pictures – La Sarthe / Elisa Haumesser
