TDU stage 2 – Kjell Carlström «A little too fast in the final for us»

The day after Heinrich Haussler grabbed a good 8^th place in the first stage of the Santos Tour Down Under, IAM Cycling had to settle for honorable mentions during the second stage of the race.  While Juan José Lobato (Movistar) won the tough stage and Jack Bobridge (UniSA-Australia) retained his overall lead, IAM Cycling’s Heinrich Haussler, Jarlinson Pantano and David Tanner did not end up being in the mix for the victory.  The three riders from the Swiss team did, however, finish in the same time with the winner among a 48 strong peloton.

Kjell Carlström, the directeur sportif for IAM Cycling did not mince his words when analyzing the day.  “We can admit without blushing that the pace was a little too fast for us in the finale.  All the guys did a great job throughout the day, but it was not enough to get our first victory.  We just cracked in the final kilometer.  Nevertheless, Roger Kluge, Martin Elmiger and Stef Clement all rode very hard to help set up Heinrich.  Unfortunately at the end, Haussler could not come to the fore when the sprint started to finish off the stage, which took place in sunny conditions and in temperatures of 25 degrees C.”

Having already digested the day’s disappointment, Kjell Carlström has declared that the next stages will be more favorable for the Colombian climber on the team.  “We gave Jarlinson Pantano carte blanche to follow any attacks that may have happened in the final, but nothing ever materialized.  However, on Thursday and Saturday there will be additional opportunities.  These upcoming stages, especially Thursday’s, should suit our young climber since the finish comes after a kilometer long climb.  That climb has even a few passages of 20% gradient, even though the last 450 meters are flat.”