10 February 2013
IAM Cycling
I’m very happy, I had good sensations the entire week and I knew we could do something. I have to thank my teammates for their work, I was impressed by how fast we joined up as a team on the road, it’s not always easy for a new group but there it went better and better each day.
The first think I had in mind after crossing the line was “Finally!”.
I waited quite a long time for this and it is a real satisfaction.
This morning I knew the stage would be hard and that we would have to be very good in strategy to win the race.
The attacks started quite early and very quickly 17 men were in front. Dominic Klemme, Matthias Brändle, Stefan Denifl, Gustav Larsson and Aleksejs Saramotins did a great job in the front, riding with the Radioshack-Leopard-Trek guys. I was with Matteo Pelucchi when we entered the final circuit and on the last climb I could tell Maxime Montfort was not at his best, that was a chance for me so I gave everything there and it worked.
I wish to dedicate this victory to my team of course but also to all the people who have always been there for me: my wife for her constant support, my coach Michael Andersson and a special thought for my teammate Kevyn Ista – to whom I promised a bottle of Champagne if we would win the race – Kevyn I wish you’ll be on the bike again soon, the bottle is on its way!
