The World Team Time Trial Championships in Richmond, Virginia, left a bitter taste in the mouth for IAM Cycling. While BMC managed to retain the title that they won last year, the Swiss professional team failed to achieve its goal of taking a place in the top-10, which was the established aim before the start of the race. 

At the end of the 38.6 kilometer event, the team that was founded by Michel Thétaz, CEO of IAM Funds, could only manage 13th place with an average speed of 52.809km/h. They were just eleven seconds short of their goal. 

Initially deprived of Martin Elmiger’s presence since he remained in Switzerland to be able to attend the birth of his second daughter, the team suffered a more extreme loss when Stef Clement’s tire exploded after just two kilometers of racing when he hit a pothole in the road. Losing such a strong rider so early in the race certainly compromised IAM Cycling’s chances once they hit the final kilometers.

Jérôme Coppel spoke about their day out prior to heading back to the team hotel to enjoy a good massage to help him recover in time for the individual time trial scheduled for Wednesday. He naturally regretted how the race unfolded especially since this was the first attempt by the IAM Cycling team in this event since joining the pro peloton in 2013. 

“Luck was certainly not on our side since we lost Stef after just the second kilometer. We had done everything right and reconnoitered this very fast course, but having that climb right at the end made it very demanding. With five kilometers to go, it became complicated because we had no strength left for the finale. We pretty much had the potential to target a 7th or 8th place. It is the law of sport, and it has not always equally unraveled the ambitions of the teams racing. Some teams suffered crashes, others had punctures and some had other mechanicals. We must also accept being among the unlucky and move on.  Personally, I am feeling very good, and that bodes well for the individual time trial to come.”

Rik Verbrugghe, directeur sportif for IAM Cycling along with Marcello Albasini, was equally disappointed that his riders missed out on their goal. 

“It’s a shame because we really had meant to take a place in the top-10, and that does not seem too ambitious considering we were off by just eleven seconds on the line. We had banked on a top-10 and even hoped for a strong 6th place. Our dreams were punctured after just two kilometers when Stef Clement’s rear wheel broke.

“Nevertheless, we still fought throughout the three time checks. In fact, we paid much for our efforts in those last six or seven kilometers. The calculation is quickly made. Every 1'30-1'50 there are 20 seconds fewer to recover on the wheels. While teams that raced complete were able to finish strong, we just collapsed. We finished with four riders: Brändle, Hollenstein, Coppel and Saramotins. However, in the end, Jérôme Coppel and Reto Hollenstein held us together since Matthias Brändle performed below what would normally be expected of him.”