09 July 2016
IAM Cycling
THE EXCLIMATION
A stage win is now the priority, explained Rik Verbrugghe, the sports manager for IAM Cycling, at the end of the 8th stage of the Tour de France which was won by Chris Froome, who has now taken possession of the yellow jersey.
THE ANALYSIS
According to Rik Verbrugghe. The race went off with a bang. The Sky team led with great style throughout the stage. They were a cut above the rest. We tried to place Pantano well with a hope of having a sprint finish with maybe 20 guys at the end, but thats not how it turned out. Now we have to review our strategy. Mathias Frank had a jour sans. Last year he finished in 8th place, but now we have to think of other things. This stage is perhaps a blessing in disguise for us with regards to the rest of the Tour de France.
THE EXPLANATION
I never felt comfortable, Mathias Frank said. On the Tourmalet, we raced à bloc. I really gave it everything to stay with the group of favorites. And then on the next climb, I just didnt have the legs to follow. Now I will clear my head and recover. I want to think about other things. And if I am able to, I will aim to win a stage.
THE OBSERVATION
From Jarlinson Pantano who rode well to finish in in 18th place, 141 behind Chris Froome, the winner of the day. This is a stage that I liked the look of on paper. I really wanted to do well. I hung on as long as possible, but on the last climb, I had to raise the white flag. I will continue to fight, and if an opportunity arises, then I will certainly grab it.
THE INFO
The 2016 Tour de France suffered the first abandonment with Michael Morkov. Injured in a crash that he suffered on the first stage, the Katusha rider was unable to keep up with the peloton in recent days and decided to end his suffering.
THE NUMBER
51.2. In km/h, thats the average speed that the peloton kept before its assault on the Tourmalet.
Race Pictures – BettiniPhoto & Sirotti
