Matteo Pelucchi on the podium at the Tour of Norway

IAM Cycling continues to collect honor placings at races all over Europe.

After Sébastien Hinault’s 3^rd place in the first stage of the Tour of Norway, it is now Matteo Pelucchi’s turn to mount that step of the podium.

Raced on a Norwegian national holiday, this third leg of the race saw Theo Bos changing the script from the days before, and snatching the win in front of Alexander Kristof (Katusha), who won the first two stages.

Already 9^th the day before, the Italian Pelucchi (24 years old) confirmed his return to form with his place today, after having suffered from health problems two weeks ago.

Directeur Sportif, along with Kjell Carlström, Eddy Seigneur was satisfied with Pelucchi’s success after Rémi Cusin and Reto Hollenstein had tried their luck in the run up to the finale.

“Since this stage was pancake flat for the last 60 kilometers, it was right down Mateo’s street; he did his job well and made a good sprint.  Unfortunately it wasn’t quite enough to overhaul Bos and Kristoff.” 

Seigneur believes that the eventual should be well established by the time Saturday’s stage finishes in Lillehammer.

“There will be two climbs of 5-6 kilometers in length with gradients of 8-9%.  So it is definitely the queen stage, and we have our cards to play.  With Johann Tschopp, we hope to dictate our own terms.”

Complete IAM Cycling results on today’s stage