13 May 2016
IAM Cycling
THE ESCAPEE
Stefan Denifl. The IAM Cycling climber found an opening at the start of the undulating stage to enter a breakaway along with Stefan Küng (BMC), Axel Domont AG2R), Giulio Ciccone (Bardiani), Ilia Koshevoy (Lampre-Merida) and Daniel Martinez (Wilier Triestina-Southeast). Each one of them was reeled in by the hard-chasing peloton with 26 kilometers to the finish, with the exception of Stefan Küng who held on for several kilometers after that, though the determination of the sprinting teams quashed any hope of success in the break.
THE QUOTE
I tried my luck, but it was basically a mission impossible, said Stefan Denifl after having visiting the doping control following his breakaway adventure that lasted over 110 kilometers.
THE EXPLANATION
The team rode perfectly today, Leigh Howard commented after what was André Greipel (Lotto Soudal) sixteenth grand tour stage win. Everyone was riding their absolute hardest in the final, but I just couldnt manage to keep my place diving into the last corner in order to stay in the slipstream of the winner.
THE ANALYSIS
Kjell Carlström, one of the directeurs sportifs for IAM Cycling at the race along with Mario Chiesa, complimented the efforts of his riders. Stefan Denifl did well to choose the right breakaway. This gave the rest of the team the chance to sit back and save their strength in the pack. By the finish, everyone was able to do his share of the work. Unfortunately, Leigh Howard didnt have his best legs today.
THE UNLUCKY
Matteo Pelucchi. Having finished yesterdays stage 25’53 after Tim Wellens (Lotto-Soudal), who won the sixth stage solo on Thursday, the Italian fell outside the time delay of 25’14 allowed by the jury of commissioners. Taking 39 seconds too many to finish the stage, the IAM Cycling rider was forced to return home before the start in Sulmona.
THE ABANDON
Larry Warbasse. Suffering from extreme lower back pain that signals an irritation at the root of the nerve, the 26 year old American rider also did not take the start this morning in Sulmona. He will head to the University Hospital in Geneva (HUG) to receive the care he needs before he can consider returning to competition, a decision that will be made upon consultation between the medical staff and the sports management for the team.
THE NUMBER
6400 – In meters, that is the distance of unpaved road that will take the riders to the summit of Alpe di Poti, a second category climb that will shake up the race tomorrow coming just around 18 kilometers from the finish of the Giros 8th stage.
Pictures – BettiniPhoto2016
