Tschopp makes the grade at Critérium International

After his great climbing success at the Paris-Nice, Johann Tschopp has picked up where he left off by hanging with the best climbers in the world during the queen stage at the du Critérium International. IAM Cycling’s Swiss rider was one of the last men standing on the brutal climb up the col de l’Ospedale, matching the likes of Christopher Froome and Jean-Christophe Peraud pedal stroke for pedal stroke. Tschopp finished 7th on the stage and moved up to 9th place behind overall leader Christopher Froome in a classy performance. Directeur Sportif Kjell Carlström appreciates the true value of the commitment shown by the team’s leader.

“Johann did not spare anything on this first long climb of the season. He stayed with his teammates in the peloton for a little, but then set out on a lone attack, to which only Froome was able to respond, bringing Peraud along with him. Johann is taking more and more confidence from his continued good legs and the resulting excellent performances. And with only a little more unbound commitment during yesterday’s time trial, he would be sitting in the top five overall tonight. I also want to commend Marcel Wyss for his excellent performance today, considering just how difficult this first big climb of the season really was.”