26 June 2016
IAM Cycling
THE EXPLOIT
Jonathan Fumeaux, 28 years old, managed to win the 2016 Swiss professional national road race championships solo after having been in front of a hard-chasing pursuit for over 30 kilometers. It is the third professional win for Fumeaux, who comes from the Swiss town of Conthey, which is made all the sweeter by the fact that IAM Cycling will leave the peloton at the end of the season.
THE EXCLIMATION
I have trouble believing that I am even wearing the jersey, Fumeaux said as he descended the podium after taking possession of his prize, surrounded by all his friends and fans.
THE EXPLANATION
Jonathan Fumeaux had a head nearly clear enough to speak about a day that one does not expect to have twice in a career: I must say a big thank you to the team because we really all did a perfect job of work. We were always present in all the breakaways. And then when Reto Hollenstein was pulled back with all the other favorites, I was able to counter-attack. Essentially, I did a second individual time trial after the one I did already on Wednesday, since I was out in front for 30 kilometers alone. I didnt ask any questions; I just gave everything I had. Winning in front of this home crowd, really just about 25 kilometers from my home, is a dream come true that many great champions never even manage to achieve. This means that I am truly the happiest of men.
THE ANIMATORS
Mathias Frank and Martin Elmiger set fire to the race. Having taken turn to hit out on the front to attack, the two IAM Cycling riders were pulled back by the peloton quickly enough. Pirmin Lang also spent time at the front of the pack along with Patrick Müller (BMC Development), before being brought back as well. Such a scenario was repeated by Reto Hollenstein.
THE FACT OF THE DAY
The race jury took out a portion of the 19.5 circuit. This did not prevent the IAM Cycling team from celebrating a superb double with Jonathan Fumeaux and Pirmin Lang taking first and second in what essentially is Michel Thétazs, the IAM Cycling founder, back garden.
THE ANECDOTE
Jonathan Fumeaux, who already submitted to a doping control on Wednesday after the individual time trial, was woken early Sunday morning to undergo a second doping control commissioned by the UCI at the team hotel. Slightly disgruntled by the sleep interruption, he couldnt possibly suspect that he would have to submit to yet a third control in less than ten hours after his victory.
THE ORGANIZER
The VC Excelsior Martigny managed to pull off a very successful series of races for the 2016 Swiss national championships. Having the main square, the Place Centrale de Martigny, closed off to traffic, allowed the fans and families of the races to experience the Swiss championships in the best light.
THE INFO
Matthias Brändle managed to add to the tally of IAM Cycling victories. In Austria, he already won the individual time trial championships on Saturday, but he was able to double his success by taking the road race title on Sunday by winning the sprint out of a breakaway.
THE NUMBER
12 – That is the number of victories that IAM Cycling has tallied since the beginning of the season, including the three for this last weekend in June.
Pictures – Elisa Haumesser & Angelika Kaufmann-Pauger (Brändle)
