16 March 2016
IAM Cycling
THE ANALYSIS
Overall, I am satisfied with what Ive seen of the team at Tirreno. We made a bit of a mistake during stage two that cost us time, explained IAM Cycling directeur sportif Kjell Carlström. But the overall performance of the team was not poor. It is promising. I saw the squad unite around Leigh Howard, who did finish fifth in a difficult and heavily contested sprint. I also saw the guys work as a true team. Our riders will emerge from this week having accomplished an excellent block of work. This will put them in a great position to tackle the classics in good condition; not only Milan-San Remo which is just around the corner, but also the Vuelta Catalunya.
THE DISAPPOINTMENT
The time lost on stage two. We were not concentrated enough in the final, said Kjell Carlström. These sorts of mistakes can happen. But when we are aiming for the general classification, we cannot afford to make them. A race can be lost at any moment, by one second. This is what happened for us. In Pomarance, Jarlinson Pantano and Mathias Frank crossed the line having lost 123 ” and 1’33 ”, respectively, on the winner.
THE GOOD NOTE
Their performance in the team time trial. We did an excellent time for the team time trial on the first day, Carlström, the teams Finnish directeur sportif, emphasized. The whole team worked very well together, and that is exactly what we wanted to see. We have made huge advancements in our performance in this discipline. IAM Cycling finished in fifth place for this stage, just twelve seconds behind world champions BMC over the roads of Lido di Camaiore.
THE OPTIMIST
Jarlinson Pantano. Since he came with the intention of playing a role in the overall standings, the Colombian rider finished the Tirreno-Adriatico with a slightly bitter taste in his mouth. Nevertheless, he is satisfied to have gained some more fitness and experience during his week in Italy. All is not wasted, Pantano said. My sensations on the bike were excellent. My next race will be the Tour of Catalonia. I will go there most importantly with the intention of helping Mathias Frank. But I will not exclude the possibility of playing my own card for a stage win.
THE ANECDOTE
On Monday, Heinrich Haussler and Roger Kluge decided to increase their work load on Monday, so rode the 60 kilometers to the hotel after the stage finished. Considering the stage already took in 210 kilometers, it turned into quite a long day, or as Marcello Albasini said, ideal preparation for next Saturdays Milan-San Remo.
Pictures – BettiniPhoto2016
