ENECO Tour, stage 5 – Rik Verbrugghe – IAM Cycling rivaled some of the best teams in this specialty –

23 September 2016

IAM Cycling

 

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THE EXCLAMATION

Given by Rik Verbrugghe, the sports manager for the only Swiss team at the World Tour level: “IAM Cycling rivaled some of the best teams in this specialty.”

THE EXPLANATION

Again offered by Rik Verbrugghe. “A top-5 is always a good result for the team, but we missed the podium by just a few seconds. We may have been a bit too tentative on the two climbs of the day, but overall the guys completely followed all instructions that we gave them before the start.”

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THE INFO

Rik Verbrugghe confirmed at the end of the stage that IAM Cycling would not be travelling to Doha in order to participate in the world championships for team time trials.

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THE FACT OF THE DAY

Defending world champions in this disciple, the BMC Racing team set the best time today by speeding with an average of more than 54 km/h on the 20,9 kilometer circuit. That allowed Rohan Dennis to retake the leader’s red jersey as a result.

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THE ANECDOTE

Martin Elmiger celebrated his 38th birthday, which includes his 16 seasons as a professional racer, today. The 2014 Swiss road champion worked hard with his teammates during this time trial and received a nice 5th place result as a birthday gift.

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THE STATEMENT

From Matthias Brändle: “We lacked enough speed especially during that second climb, and we just were not able to have the perfect performance. In spite of that, we put down a pretty good time for an adequate result. And we still have the weekend to go for that beautiful stage win.”

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THE ANALYSIS

Provided by Oliver Naesen. “Winning a stage at this level is not an easy thing to do, especially with the sort of riders present, but the weekend looks like it’ll have some hot racing. With two stages, one that is a replica of the Amstel Gold Race and one on Sunday that resembles the Tour of Flanders with two climbs up the mur de Grammont, the battle for the general classification will be intense.”

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THE NUMBER

53.098. That’s the respectable average speed that the six riders from IAM Cycling notched up on the way to their 5th place finish over the 20.9 kilometer course.

THE MENU FOR THE DAY

With six côtes to get over on the 197.2 kilometer trip between Riemst and Lanaken, the riders will find a replica of the Amstel Gold Race that takes them through the hilly countryside of Limburg.

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Pictures – BettiniPhoto & IAM Cycling

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