Paris – Nice – Michel Thétaz – Proud of my team –

THE QUOTE

“I am proud of this united team,” Michel Thétaz, who is the CEO of IAM (manager of the IAMFUNDS.CH investment firm) said at the outset, after watching in person the prologue that took place in the picturesque city of Conflans-Sainte -Honorine. “The guys managed to fulfill both objectives. We asked that two among them try to get into the top-10. It has been a full day ahead of a week of racing where we will hope to see guys like Coppel and Devenyns play for a podium at the Paris-Nice.”

THE EXPLANATION

Dries Devenyns was content with his 8th place in the prologue that was won somewhat surprisingly by Michael Matthews (Orica-GreenEDGE) over a difficult course designed by the Paris-Nice organizers. “I am satisfied with my performance. It was essential to take it to the maximum on that first long straight while being careful not to burn all my matches. You had to put all your efforts into the steep climb and then the false flat leading to the finish line because this was a very technical course. Now we will have to be more wary of the wind than the cobbled sections on Monday before the first real climb that will face us at Mont Brouilly on Tuesday.”

THE ANECTDOTE

Jérôme Coppel, who was called to the doping control after his race where he averaged 46.870km/h, needed 1h48min in the waiting room before he was able to fulfill his obligation, finally discharged with the help of a welcomed beer.

THE ORGANIZER

During the briefing held on Saturday night with the team officials, Race Director Thierry Gouvenou was quick to praise the merits of the Race to the Sun: “It is proven that this is the best way to prepare to win at Milan-San Remo.” Less than 24 hours later, Michael Matthews, who came third at last year’s Primavera, seemed to prove Gouvenou’s point by winning what everyone agreed was a very demanding 6.1km prologue.

THE INFO

During the first stage between Condé-sur-Vesgre and Vendôme, the 175 riders will need to be attentive to the impact of the wind in order to avoid echelons and the traps that the two unpaved sectors, one 1300 and the other 800 meters long, could provide. The peloton will have to tackle the limestone roads two times. The last section will come with less than four kilometers to the finish line.

Pictures – BettiniPhoto2016