24 May 2013
IAM Cycling
Appetite comes with eating for the IAM Cycling team at the Bayern-Rundfahrt.
Heinrich Haussler grabbed an encouraging third place in the sprint finish just behind stage winner, and 2013 Milan-San Remo champion, Gerald Ciolek. Arnaud Démarre, who won this year’s Four Days of Dunkirk, took second place.
Today’s result constitutes the Australian Haussler’s best finish this season.
“Only victories really count. I managed to get third place, though not the full bouquet. I have not yet completely recovered my race legs after my extended rest following the classics. I have been training at altitude and I will put my best efforts forward especially with my main goals around the Tour of Switzerland soon to come.”
Stefan Denifl also found success for the day when he was able to keep pace up the first of two categorized climbs.
“I did not have the legs today that I enjoyed yesterday, but I did crest the first KOM climb, which was a 2nd category climb just 12 kilometers into the stage, in first place; I was just in front of Cousin who is my big rival for the jersey. But he chose the right breakaway and grabbed the points on the second climb. Everything will be decided on Sunday on the final stage where there will be two categorized climbs. I am determined to fight to the last in order to be able to take this distinctive jersey home with me.”
Before the race finishes up in Nuremberg on Sunday, the riders will have to face a 31.2 kilometer time trial on Saturday that will surely be decisive for the final overall victory.
It is a stage that should suit several IAM Cycling riders well, especially Marcel Wyss (10th at 15 seconds behind Ciolek), Martin Elminger (15th at 16 seconds) and Thomas Löfkvist (35 at 31 seconds).
IAM Cycling results on the 3rd stage of the Bayern-Rundfahrt