Marcello Albasini: «I’m seeing some good progress in Mallorca»

“We’re on schedule.  I have no worries about the team. I am happy with the guys and I saw some good things happen in Mallorca.”

Marcello Albasini, IAM Cycling’s directeur sportif for the four races conducted around the Balearic Islands, laid his cards on the table while describing the performance of his charges.

Immediately after seeing Gianni Meersman (Omega Pharma Quickstep) take the win in a sprint at Alcudia, Albasini who also acts as a coach for multiple members of the IAM Cycling team, offered his reaction to the four days of racing.

“This is a good race, and a course that makes it easy to verify the condition of the riders.  With one day raced over an open course, without any real climbs, but with strong winds like we’ll find later in Belgium, and then two other days with climbs ranging around 15 to 16 kilometers long, it is a very good opportunity.  All that’s missing is a time trial.  I could see that our guys work well together.  There is still work to do, though.  They still lack a little confidence to implement moves that should be second nature.  But with Reynes and Kluge we have what it takes.” 

Missing out on a place in the top 10 (aside from Vincente Reynes 5^th place at Trofeo Ses Salines) did not overly worry Albasini.

“There is stiff competition here.  But I am very pleased with the progress of our guys who have been injured (Kluge and Lang), and am happy with the work done by Fumeaux, Schelling, Hollenstein.  As for Frank and Löfkvist, they showed their strength at the important moments, even if they are not yet near the top of their form.”