Santos Tour Down Under – Mixed fortunes for IAM Cycling –

20 January 2016

IAM Cycling

 

Tour Down Under 2016

THE STATEMENT

“After this second stage, the differences in time are still small, so everything is still possible for the GC, and that is a good thing.” Such is the assessment made by IAM Cycling’s directeur sportif Kjell Carlström after a mixed day for the team on the Australian roads. “To make a bigger difference in the overall standings, it was necessary to attack earlier,” Carlström continued. “But that was not an easy task because the peloton was travelling at such a fast tempo from the start in Unley. With an average speed of 38km/h combined with overwhelming heat once again that faced the riders, and a demanding profile made this stage a real ordeal, that’s for sure.”

Kjell

THE EXPLANATION

“Matteo Pelucchi was forced to abandon the stage after only four kilometers of racing. He was just not in shape,” Kjell Carlström said when discussing the result of the Italian sprinter. I think it is best for him to return to Europe to continue his preparation for his next goals in races that will take place on the old continent.”

Tour Down Under 2016

THE OPTIMIST

“It was a stage for me; the profile suited my qualities,” David Tanner admitted after crossing the finish line. “And even without a victory bouquet at the end of the day, I still felt good sensations throughout the final, which bodes well for the rest of the race. With Aleksejs Saramotins, we worked at the head of the pack with two kilometers remaining, but I was still justmissing a little something. I will remain confident, though, about the fact that I will be making further progress before the end.”

Tour Down Under 2016

THE GOOD NEWS

A significant crash took down several riders in the final kilometer of the second stage. IAM Cycling escaped with no casualties from that fall, which meant that al the riders from the Swiss team were able to cross the line unscratched, not having hit the deck.

 

All race pictures – Graham Watson/BettiniPhoto©2016

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