IAM TDF – Martin Elmiger «The first stage of the Tour de France is always nervous and dangerous»

Marcel Kittel (Giant-Shimano) won the daily double on the opening day of the 101th Tour de France raced over the Yorkshire dales.  The German fast-man prevailed in the mass sprint ahead of Peter Sagan, and for his efforts won the first yellow jersey of the race.

For its part, IAM Cycling remained vigilant throughout the stage, though they suffered various mechanicals and Roger Kluge was tailed off with 40 kilometers to go.  Kluge, 28, finished about two minutes behind the main bunch, and explained what happened.

“In a series of left-right cornering, there was a slowdown and then a stampede.  I was not able to avoid the rider in front of me, and next thing I knew, I was air-born.  Luckily, I only suffered some bruises.”

Martin Elmiger, appearing in his Swiss Champion’s jersey for the first time, ended the day as the best IAM Cycling rider in 14^th place.

“I avoided the crash that came in the final few hundred meters, and I am pleased to have crossed the line safely.  A first stage of the Tour de France is always nervous and dangerous.  We needed to ride with an extra level of caution because the crowds along the side of the roads were so large.”  

Teammate Jérôme Pineau confirmed the heightened difficulty of the stage.

“I have never experienced so much contact from the roadside.  The course was very hilly and we all had to be really careful not to get tangled up with the extremely enthusiastic spectators.”