Milan – San Remo – Kjell Carlström «With Sylvain Chavanel and Heinrich Haussler we have two assets that can be used in different ways»

The first major spring classic is at the door, just in time for the weather to become very temperamental.  In the past week of racing, the riders both at Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico experienced horribly cold days.  And the weather conditions that are forecasted for the 2015 edition of Milan-San Remo are not deluded with optimism.  Nevertheless, that has not deterred many of the favorites for the race to prime their form at one or the other of the two stage races organized in France and Italy.

IAM Cycling was also at both events to prepare as carefully as possible for the upcoming Primavera as well as for the rest of the major races still to come in the season.  According to Kjell Carlström, the Swiss professional team has multiple cards to play for Milan-San Remo.  “In everyone’s eyes, whether we are talking the riders or the fans, Milan-San Remo remains the first and most important appointment for the season.  And IAM has the weapons that will allow us to play in the big league.  With Sylvain Chavanel and Heinrich Haussler we have two assets that can be used in different ways.  For Milan-San Remo, you must consider several factors and develop a strategy accordingly.  Rain and even snow can sometimes disrupt the race, and the wind also plays a big role along the Ligurian coast.  And finally, there are the famous capi, the small climbs that do the job of making the first selection before the riders get to the main event climbs of the Cipressa and the Poggio.”

Without divulging the tactics the team has devised to facilitate the objectives of IAM Cycling, Carlström is happy to admit to the hard work that the entire team will do in order to protect their leaders for la Primavera.  “In a race like this, the most important thing is to ride as much as a group as possible, especially during the difficult moments.  For a Classic, just as with the stage races, there is at least one rider committed to protecting Chava and Heino.  If the leader has to stop for a nature break or change a wheel, the teammate will be there ready to help him chase back onto the peloton with as little fuss as possible.  Of course, he will also be there to protect the captain from the wind or to go back to the cars to retrieve a water bottle or a rain jacket.  Most importantly, in the final, the team will be collected to put Chava and Heino in a good position before entering the first major difficulty, the Cipressa.  That is where the fight for position is so essential, because you have to stay near the front to have a chance.  But it is also where that is most difficult because everyone wants to do exactly the same thing.  For the lieutenants, that’s about where their race ends, while for the leaders their job is only just beginning.”

Milan – San Remo (Sunday March 22nd )

Milan – San Remo,  293 km (9h45 – 16h50)

Twitter: @Milano_Sanremo

Team IAM Cycling Milan – San Remo

Directeurs sportifs Marcello Albasini, Kjell Carlström.

Sylvain Chavanel (Fr)

Heinrich Haussler (Aus)

Roger Kluge (All)

Jérôme Pineau (Fr)

Vicente Reynes (Esp)

Aleksejs Saramotins (Let)

David Tanner (Aus)

Jonas Van Genechten (Bel)