GP du canton d’Argovie –  Jérôme Pineau «It was too hot for a recovery race, and I have to think about my health for the upcoming French championships»

The race around the Aargau today worked literally as a warm-up for the Tour of Switzerland, but still gave Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) the chance to find all his good vibes again.  In a bunch sprint that included around fifty riders after having covered 15 laps around a sweltering Gippingen, the Norwegian emerged unopposed.  IAM Cycling made every effort to place Heinrich Haussler, its sprinter for the day, in a good position.  Despite his strong efforts, the Australian road race champion was unable to reach any higher than 9^th place in the bunch gallop.   

Under the hot sun in the Aargau, Jérôme Pineau has resumed his race schedule after he was forced to abandon the Giro during its final torturous week.  The Swiss team’s road champion took part in this Swiss adventure before having to withdraw with less than 30 kilometers to the finish.  “We had to race hard because we had missed the break, and as road captain, I was part of the chase after the guys who got away.  But I quickly realized my chase was doomed to failure.  I had to wait two laps before the peloton reabsorbed me.  Then I was just dead, and I paid for my efforts in the end.  It simply was too hot to work as a recovery race, but I really have to think about keeping my health for the upcoming French championships, and then to have a good end of season.  I have not yet fully recovered from the health problems that I picked up at the Giro.”

Marcello Albasini, directeur sportif for the team at the race, had mixed praise for his riders by the end of the race.  “This is an important race in Switzerland, and we have to show the jersey well.  It’s a great opportunity for our young guys.  I asked them to get in the break, but no one managed to do that.  We have to be careful in this type of race.  So I’m not really satisfied with how we did, even if I saw Heinrich Haussler go for the sprint at the finish, and earlier Jonathan Fumeaux on the attack.  But Fumeaux was not strong enough to stay away from the pack with a possible sprint finish like that.”