Tour of Croatia – Sondre Holst Enger -This victory was a clever mix of tactics and explosiveness –

THE FACT OF THE DAY

Sondre Holst Enger took the victory in commanding fashion. The sprinter proved his power on the sixth and final stage of the Tour of Croatia. “The final climb was steep,” the young Norwegian rider explained. “I am an explosive rider, and so my strengths were well suited to this incline. I had to wait until the last moment to produce my top effort. This victory was a clever mix of tactics and explosiveness. Fortunately, my teammates were around me the entire day. This is what allowed me to be still pretty fresh by the foot of the last climb.”

THE ANALYSIS

“We resolved to work for Sondre Holst Enger,” explained Lionel Marie, directeur sportif alongside Eddy Seigneur. “It was a demanding final with a 700 meter long cobbled climb that had 10% ramps. We knew the terrain could be favorable to him. Sondre is a good circuit rider. He is a young man who has a lot of qualities, which he readily proved again today. This was a tough victory. He attacked at the base of the climb and caught Edward Theuns. Sondre was not intimidated by the Trek rider.”

THE COACHES

Leigh Howard and Jonas Van Genechten. Taking the role of road captains, the IAM Cycling sprinters gave full support to their designated leader. “They protected me and stayed with me throughout the stage,” Holst Enger explained. “They were giving me tips on how to conserve my energy. At the start of the final circuit, Leigh told me to stay in a front position so I would not risk getting trapped.”

THE NUMBER

5 – This is the total number of wins for IAM Cycling this season. Sondre Holst Enger’s victory ends a two month drought for the Swiss professional team. The last win for the squad came thanks to Leigh Howard at the Clasica Almeria.

THE ASSESSMENT

“The boys gave 100% of themselves the whole week,” Lionel Marie continued. “That is an undeniable fact. They were dedicated and committed to their work as a well-functioning team. Pirmin Lang, Marcel Aregger, Simon Pellaud, and Jonathan Fumeaux all fulfilled their roles perfectly as teammates. But if we want to be really effective in the sprints, we are still missing two experienced experts to launch Matteo Pelucchi. This is a question we can now calmly address ahead of the Giro.”

Pictures – BettiniPhoto