Tour of Flanders – Martin Elmiger «It’s a good 10th place, but it leaves a little bit of a bitter taste»

IAM Cycling confirmed that it belongs in the elite world of professional cycling at the Tour of Flanders.  In what is one of the major landmark races of the season, Martin Elmiger won himself a fantastic 10^th place in a race that was conquered by the Norwegian sprinting ace Alexander Kristoff. Sylvain Chavanel, Heinrich Haussler, and Dries Devenyns also distinguished themselves, animating the race up until the thrilling finale.

After taking a good shower, Martin Elmiger (36) analyzed his top-10 finishing day with his usual lucidity.  “It’s a good 10^th place, but it still leaves me with a slightly bitter taste.  It was a race of attrition and I managed to keep my place in the group of favorites.  Kristoff and Terpstra got a gap and I did not react fast enough, which can be said for the others as well.  And then it was the same situation when Van Avermaet and Sagan accelerated.  I also tried my luck with four kilometers to go because you just need two seconds of the others being inattentive or refusing to react and then you can finish alone.  Had that worked, I could perhaps have bridged up to the leading duo, and in a worst case, finished 3^rd.  But I will remember particularly the excellent work of the entire team.”

“We were united and raced with a collective spirit, which is encouraging for the upcoming races.  From my side, I have felt good since the Tour of Catalonia.  That’s one reason I am not totally satisfied with my day.  I hope I will recover now and can concentrate on having another great race over the cobbles at the Hell of the North.”

Rik Verbrugghe, manager sportif along with directeur sportif Eddy Seigneur, was pleased with the overall performance of his riders.  “We saw a great IAM Cycling over the course of the race and even in the finale. We were represented by four riders in the main group near the end, but we must also address the merits of the other team members who worked throughout the day.  Today we really rode as a team.  For weeks we have worked to get to that point, and I am very happy to see the fruits ripen.  Martin Elmiger was not missing much and very easily could have come away with a top-5.  Not only that, but Dries Devenyns as well as Sylvain Chavanel and Heinrich Haussler were very active and present at the decisive moments.  I am convinced we can do well next week at Paris-Roubaix, even if it is a different sort of race.”