IAM Cycling at the foot of the podium at Paris-Bourges

Now working as an assistant for the IAM Cycling team, Alexandre Usov?always particularly liked the semi-classic Paris-Bourges.  The former?professional was himself on the podium three times during his career as a?sprinter (2nd in 2006, 3rd in 2007 and 3rd in 2009).

This year, the best a?rider on IAM Cycling could do was Heinrich Haussler’s excellent 4th place.  On?the boulevard de la République, the Australian and his fellow IAM Cycling?teammates were not quite able to nab that podium position at the end of?this centenary edition of the race, which was dominated by a charging John?Degenkolb (Argos-Shimano).  In spite of their strength, Haussler, Hinault,?Goddaert, Bandiera and Saramotins were unable to overhaul the firepower of?teams such as FDJ, Argos-Shimano and Europcar in the finale.  Under sunny,?though windy and cool (11°) conditions in the Loiret and Cher regions, the?peloton gave the impression that they may be thinking of their?well-deserved vacations a few days early.

Eddy Seigneur, directeur sportif for IAM Cycling, is not concerned about?his group that will be racing their last big meeting on Sunday at the?Paris-Tours.

“It will be a different race.  Today, the guys followed their?instructions.  We protected Haussler and Hinault so they could be fit for?the hubbub and rumble at the finish.  They were in a position to fight for?the win, but it didn’t end exactly as we would have wished.  We need to be?even more unified in the last kilometer.” 

Haussler offered his impressions?before hitting the showers.

“Everything went well during the day.  I did?not feel any ill-effects from my crash at the Eurométropole.  But in the?end, we lacked a little bit of consistency.  After the flamme rouge, I?found myself alone in the sprint.  Certainly the legs look good.  And I?have not lost hope to win before the end of the season.”

Photos / Etienne Garnier  velofotopro.com