26 August 2016
IAM Cycling
THE EXCLAMATION
From Jonas Van Genechten: It’s more than great because I was not expecting I could win here.
THE FACT OF THE DAY
IAM Cyclings 16th win of the 2016 season became a reality thanks to Jonas Van Genechten, who mastered the final three hundred meters of false flat that preceded the finish line of the 7th stage of La Vuelta.
THE EXPLANATION
Again given by Jonas Van Genechten: I was struggling on the first few hundred meters of the final categorized climb. After that, the climb was always rolling. In the last two kilometers, we had really to jostle and fight for position. At the exit of the chicane leading to the small final slope, I positioned myself perfectly. I didnt waste any time from there, and I tried to put all my power into my pedals. And then to beat guys like Valverde and Gilbert in a finish like this makes it all the more beautiful.
THE QUOTE
From Clément Chevrier. Ever since the beginning of this Vuelta, we have been using all our strengths and listening to our directeurs who have been asking that we always remain on the offensive. Today, we have been well rewarded for all our efforts. After Vegard Stake Laengen went in the break, I put my nose out into the wind on the last climb. And then finally, it was Jonas Van Genechten who was able to put the icing on the cake.
THE ANALYSIS
Given by Eddy Seigneur, directeur sportif for IAM Cycling accompanied by Marcello Albasini and Mario Chiesa at La Vuelta: We have wanted to win a stage since the start of the Vuelta. The team work has been perfect every day. And today we have succeeded in achieving our main goal for this grand tour. Success will only motivate the guys because we are very far from giving up and going home. We didnt succeed in getting the mountains jersey for Simon Pellaud, but we have been rewarded with this fantastic win from Jonas Van Genechten.
THE EXPLOIT
IAM Cycling, a team that is racing its last season among the World Tour squads, has now managed to win a stage in all three grand tours in 2016. Kluge was first in the Giro Then came Pantanos win at the Tour de France. And now Jonas Van Genechten has secured a victory in the Vuelta. Add to that the national champion for Switzerland is also an IAM Cycling rider, Jonathan Fumeaux, and it is easy to understand that Michel Thétaz, founder of IAM Cycling, has had many sources of satisfaction since May.
THE MENU FOR THE DAY
The eighth stage will offer a long flat course for 173 kilometers before a final climb will punctuate the finish. Indeed the finish line will come at the end of an 8.5 kilometer ascent that offers an average gradient of 7.4%, but will pinch with steep passages closer to 25%. Suffice it to say that the contenders for overall victory will surely be tested ahead of two summit finishes that will be far more complicated at the Alto del Naranco and Lagos de Covadonga.
Pictures – BettiniPhoto
