Jérôme Pineau «I want to finish the season in style in Lombardy»

Victory in the Italian semi-classic Milan – Turin went to Giampaolo Caruso (Katusha) after a thrilling finale on the steep pitches leading up to the top of the Superga climb.  Caruso has waited no less than five years since his last victory.  Rinaldo Nocentini and Dani Moreno rounded out the podium while several IAM Cycling riders still managed to finish well up in the classification after Jérôme Pineau took part in the day’s long breakaway accompanied by three other riders.  A total of two IAM Cycling riders finished in the top-30 with Mathias Frank (23th) and Sébastien Reichenbach (30th).

Assessing his day, Pineau did not regret the part he played in the breakaway through the countryside of the Lombardy and Piedmont regions.

“The roads are monotonous and we had to fight for over an hour to get the right breakaway together.  Then we organized.  Because I have not raced since the Tour of Britain, I needed to kick it hard.  At home, I am well-trained but on intensity.  This coming Sunday racing between Como and Bergamo, although I have no real ambitions, I would like to finish the season in style.  I am determined to help my teammates who are likely to shine in this beautiful classic.  So I stuck my nose out in the wind and I even found myself alone the first time we climbed the two kilometer Superga.  After that, I finished as best I could.”   

Directeur sportif for IAM Cycling, Rubens Bertogliati, appreciated the attitude of his riders in this race where the teams of the favorites are used to push the pack to arrive together at the foot of the ultimate climb.

“We had expected to participate in the breakaway, but it was not an obligation.  Jérôme Pineau seized his chance and managed to sustain the sort of rhythm he will need with a view towards the Tour of Lombardy on Sunday.  I am also pleased with the performances of Mathias Frank and Sébastien Reichenbach who were able to stick with the best at the decisive moment in the race.  Mathias finished in the top-30, which is especially encouraging when you remember that this is only his third race since breaking his femur in the seventh stage of the Tour de France.”