23 April 2013
IAM Cycling
IAM Cycling has enjoyed its first day in Switzerland during this World Tour event.
For the Tour of Romandie prologue, won unsurprisingly by Chris Froome (Sky), the protégés of Eddy Seigneur and Marcello Albasini did not come into the day expecting to play a leading role.
Marcel Wyss proved to be the best IAM Cycling finisher in 26th place 34 seconds behind the winner.
The man from Bern was pleased with his result given the fact his legs did not feel amazing.
I did not have good legs today. I did not perform as well as I would have wanted. I certainly paid for my efforts in Liège-Bastogne-Liège two days ago, but that is the law of the sport. Today was not my day, but tomorrow is another chance.
Slotting into 56th place, Johann Tschopp explained why he lost 56 seconds on what would typically be considered favorable terrain for him.
Ill never be an expert at time trialling, even when there is a climb involved. This prologue was difficult because there was no way to find a rhythm. If I struggled on the false flat, I felt comfortable on the hardest parts of the climb. But the climb was too short. That is actually reassuring because there is plenty of climbing in the coming days.
Happy surprises came in the performances of Reto Hollenstein (36th) and Matthias Brändle (89th), who despite their big size were both able to put in encouraging efforts. The Swiss rider Hollenstein examined his ride this way:
In my eyes, this was a real uphill prologue time trial. But I was able to push myself and work the gear ratio. I am very happy with my time and it will give me greater confidence for the rest of the race.
Brändle, the rider from Austria, meanwhile is prepared to work all-out for the team.
I gave my greatest effort to test myself. In spite of the fact that I am not a specialist, I found a good rhythm even with the changes in the steepness of the slope. For me this bodes well for all the work that awaits us the rest of this week.
IAM Cycling results on the Tour de Romandie
