10 October 2016
IAM Cycling
THE FACT OF THE DAY
In the days after its farewell race at Paris-Tours, following four wonderful years in the professional peloton, IAM Cycling will still be well represented by riders participating at the 2016 world championships in Qatar. No fewer than seven riders from IAM Cycling have caught the attention of their respective national coaches, and have been chosen for time trial and/or road race duties.
THE EXPLANATION
Reto Hollenstein (Switzerland) and Vegard Stake Laengen (Norway) will start the time trial world championships on Wednesday, October 12, where they will face a 40 kilometer test. On Sunday, October 16, Martin Elmiger, Reto Hollenstein, Pirmin Lang (Switzerland), Sondre Holst Enger, Vegard Stake Laengen (Norway), Heinrich Haussler (Australia) and Oliver Naesen (Belgium) are all scheduled to compete in the road race which will cover a total distance of 257.5 kilometers, 151 of which will be crossing the desert before reaching the finish line in Doha.
THE WEATHER
With regards to the expected heat, the board of commissioners, on the recommendations of the panel of doctors, are prepared to reduce the distance of the event some 100 kilometers or even more before the start of the race.
THE ANALYSIS
From Rik Verbrugghe, sports manager for IAM Cycling: Considering there will be as many as seven members from IAM Cycling racing in the world championships this late in the season is proof of the quality of our riders. In spite of the fact that it was announced that the team would disband at the end of the season, the guys stayed motivated until the last race. I am very proud of them, and wish them the best for what will still be an exciting drop of the curtain.
THE QUOTE
From Martin Elmiger. “I’m motivated because I have always liked to race in Qatar.”
THE JOKER
Sondre Holst Enger. At 22, the great Norwegian talent among sprinters will be hoping to join in the fight for victory in the event of a mass sprint finish.
THE ANIMATORS
Though both Heinrich Haussler and Oliver Naesen will likely have supporting roles within their teams, they could certainly take advantage of the confusion the wind and resulting echelons could cause, and compete for the title when in a small leading group.
THE UNLUCKY
Matthias Brändle. Selected by the Austrian coaches to take part in both the time trial and road race, he is suffering from sore throat, which will prevent the current Austrian champion in the road race and time trials from joining his national team in Doha.
Pictures – IAM Cycling & Angelika Kaufmann-Pauger
