Sylvain Chavanel won his home race, the Tour du Poitou-Charentes, for the third time in his career when he got safely through today's final stage. Having been excellently supported by his teammates, the Frenchman felt the final day like an arm chair ride.

Sylvain Chavanel gave IAM Cycling its 13th win of the season at the Tour de Poitou-Charentes.  In Poitiers, the leader of the Swiss Pro Continental team took 8th in the sprint finale, which was won by Jesus Herrada (Movistar). 

IAM Cycling figured in the top-10 also with Martin Elmiger who finished the stage in 10th and the overall in 6th place, while Matthias Brändle also found himself in an excellent 10th place in the overall standings.
 
Before turning his attentions to the GP de Plouay, Sylvain Chavanel was pleased to lock down this third overall victory in a race that practically takes place in his back garden. 

“Racing at home is always a bit special and it is of course motivating, though I will be hanging another number on my jersey soon.  I managed to ride a strong time trial and the winning gap was enough so that I could ride the final stage as if in my arm chair. 

"I must thank the team for all the good work done throughout the week.  I could have never done it alone.  All races are characterized by the selflessness of the teammates. 

"I was not greatly stressed. I was easy to manage this last stage. I still had four teammates with me in the last lap. On the last climb, Bakelants attacked. The peloton broke at the top of the climb but everyone looked at each other. I just had to control and not leave too much scope to my opponents. You had to give them a little room. 

"Thanks to the team, it was not a bad day. We took our responsibilities, and we managed the race as we should. I was never afraid of anything today. But cycling is not easy, so anoything can happen. When I say it was a quiet, easy day, I speak about progress of the race but it's still very fast. The last two laps were very fast. 

"I'm proud of this victory, like I am proud of what I have done since the beginning of my career. There is no particular emotion today. In the Tour du Poitou-Charentes, I won three times now but I have finished 2nd twice . I'm really happy with what I did, what the team has accomplished. I needed my seven teammates. Winning in front of my real fans, at home, is even more fun.

"Now I am off to Plouay with great feelings, even though it is a strange race.  I already know it will be difficult.”
 
Eddy Seigneur, directeur sportif for IAM Cycling, enjoyed the result as much as he enjoyed the manner in which it was achieved. 

“The whole team got on board and took control of a breakaway containing five riders.  And that the sprint stage ended with a top-10 place for both Chavanel and Elimger is great. 

"Sylvain not only won the overall, but we have also come out on top in the team rankings too.  This importance of this is nothing to downplay.  After our complicated week in Limousin, we found our groove again in Poitou-Charentes, and that only bodes well for our chances in Plouay.

"I did not expect such a performance by Sylvain in the time trial. He really dominated it. He was very effective throughout the course. He was able to manage his ride as a master of the discipline. He impressed me most in the hard part where he had a monumental force on a course built for him. 

"The overall victory was decided in that satge but you are never safe from a puncture on the final day. It was more comfortable to have a good margin against our opponents. 

"It's true that I was talking about Sylvain, Matthias Brandle and Martin Elmiger as our three leaders here earlier this week. In the end, all three are in the top 10. We knew they would all do a good TT.. Martin came from a good ride in the Artic Race. Matthias also. This is not a surprise, I knew they were strong. 

"I am satisfied with what our stagiaire Simon (Pellaud) did. We should ask him, but I think he had a lot of fun with us. He gained a lot of things, including experience. It was a good team with our captains. He was able to observe and learn. 

"Thomas (Lövkvist) will end his career. If it surprised me? Yes and no. I think it is a decision that reflects his image. He has considered it thoroughly. He was certainly tired of this. There is also a family to take care of."