15 April 2013
IAM Cycling
With the closing of the cobbled spring classics, IAM Cycling feels comfortable looking back on its performances throughout the first section of its inaugural season.
Their debut has been successful after having arrived on the international racing scene 1 January 2013 as a Pro Continental Swiss squad, since not only has the team received Wild Card invitations to all the most important Classics, but the team founded by Michel Thétaz, CEO of IAM SA (IAM Investment Funds), has been among the main animators and protagonists of many of the toughest and most prestigious races on the calendar.
In review of their first three and a half months in the peloton, Directeur Sportif Serge Beucherie can reflect on the pleasing balance of strong performances and continuous learning by his riders.
Serge Beucherie, what lessons have you drawn from this first section of the season?
I am very satisfied because we have been accomplishing our goals all along the way. We have been able to take our place in the peloton and have influenced the outcome of many of the races. Im content, indeed pleased, with the balance we have found. We convinced the race organizers early on that we would be a safe bet and have proved ourselves worthy of the invitations.
Do you not miss having a tangible result such as a podium finish at a World Tour event?
Its true we have lacked a little bit of notable success. Having that little something extra and being able to grab a podium place or even a victory in a high-profile race certainly changes everything and gives a team a lot more exposure. Heinrich Haussler came very close to the podium on several occasions, including finishing 4th at Gent-Wevelgem, 6that the Tour of Flanders, 11th at Paris-Roubaix and the E3 GP, and 13that Milan San Remo. Certainly that sort of consistency shows the quality of the team. We have proven to ourselves as well as to our competitors that we belong in this league. I am not worried about the future. We will continue our progress and the victories will come.
Are you satisfied with your Europe Tour results?
I was going to come to that. It is important not to forget that we have excelled on other fronts. Johann Tschopp won the best climbers jersey at Paris-Nice, rode very well at the Critérium International, and was showing his excellent form as early as at the Tour of Oman. Martin Elmiger finished 2nd in a stage of the Tour of Qatar and then was 3rd on the 2nd stage of the Tour of Oman. Thomas Löfkvist won the overall at the Tour of the Mediterranean. Matteo Pelucchi took 2nd in a stage of the Tour of the Mediterranean, and more recently won a stage, wore the leaders jersey and won the points jersey at the Circuit de la Sarthe, while Stefan Denifl took 2nd place on the hardest stage in that same race, and finished 5th overall.
With results like these, we can feel confident that we are working well together, gaining strong results and progressing toward bigger wins.
