IAM Cycling has remained deliberately discreet since the beginning of the transfer window opened on August 1st, which allowed for the signing of riders for the upcoming season. Michel Thétaz, founder of IAM Cycling and CEO of IAM Funds, has traditionally always preferred to take his time before revealing the names of his new recruits.

Thétaz, who comes from the Valais canton in Switzerland and has been successful as a financier in Geneva, remained true to the policy that he announced at the beginning of the Tour de France:

“For next year, we want to have our pack of wolves a bit more compact and prominent at the front of the peloton in order to usher our sprinters to the finish line more effectively.”

The first three names of riders set to join IAM Cycling at the end of the season have now been revealed. After four years with Orica GreenEDGE, the Australian Leigh Howard (25) responded favorably to the overtures made by the Swiss team’s management. 

Norwegian Vegard Stake Laengen (26), the winner of the Tour d’Alsace in August, has also agreed to join the Swiss team, having come from the Norwegian Team Joker. Finally Belgian Oliver Naesen (25) will be coming to the Swiss WorldTour team after a time with Topsport Vlaanderen-Bâloise where he won the Polynormande this year.

These recent recruits are expected to replace Sylvain Chavanel, Thomas Degand, Jérôme Pineau, Sébastien Reichenbach, and Patrick Schelling, whose contracts were not renewed. Additional information will be provided about new reinforcements as and when the contracts are signed and in the coming weeks.