“IAM Cycling has at its fingertips many fantastic cards to play both at La Marseillaise as well as the L’Etoile de Bessèges.” 

So says Lionel Marie, the in-coming directeur sportif for IAM Cycling. Marie is confident for the two up-coming races in the south of France.

“In Marseille, we will rely on Heinrich Haussler, who is not only very motivated, but also is very fit already.  This however will not preclude the opportunities other riders will have to show their attacking temperament.  For L’Etoile de Bessèges, the first stage race on European soil this season, we are well equipped for the various terrains on offer. Jérôme Coppel, who won in 2012 and was second in 2014, as well as Dries Devenyns will be in a position to aim for the overall classification.”

The more than nine hour time difference as well as the nearly 40 degree temperature in the Adelaide region for the Santos Tour Down Under all but hamstrung Matteo Pelucchi.  Nevertheless, Rik Verbrugghe, sports manager for IAM Cycling, is not at all worried about his sprinter. 

“Matteo Pelucchi just couldn’t stand those extreme conditions.  After abandoning the race, he flew home to rebuild his health with the training camp in Mallorca.  Our sprinter will have every opportunity to prove his mettle at L’Etoile de Bessèges where at least one mass sprint finish is expected.  And then with Lang, Reynes, Naesen, and Holst Enger, Matteo has a sprint train to match his ambitions.”

Line-up for GP La Marseillaise

Clément Chevrier (F)

Jérôme Coppel (F)

Dries Devenyns (Bel)

Jonathan Fumeaux (S)

Heinrich Haussler (Aus)

Reto Hollenstein (S)

Sondre Holst-Enger (Nor)

Oliver Naesen (Bel)

Line-up for Etoile de Besseges

Jérôme Coppel (F)

Dries Devenyns (Bel)

Jonathan Fumeaux (S)

Sondre Holst-Enger (Nor)

Pirmin Lang (S)

Oliver Naesen (Bel)

Matteo Pelucchi (It)

Vicente Reynes (Esp)