After making a surprise move to the IAM team, Sylvain Chavanel is ready to make his debut in his new colours. The Frenchman will spearhead a strong IAM team in Sunday's GP La Marseillaise that will also be the scene for Jerome Pineau's first race with the Swiss team.

It came as a surprise for many when Sylvain Chavanel left the Omega Pharma-Quick Step team and the WorldTour to sign a contract with the smaller IAM team. However, the Frenchman was keen to be the undisputed leader in the classics, a position that he could not be offered on a team that already has Tom Boonen in its ranks.

Chavanel is the major new signing for the Swiss team which is about to embark on its second season. After a successful first season that brought 12 victories and the chance to ride some of cycling's biggest races, the team has reinforced its roster by the signing of Chavanel, Jerome Pineau, Vicente Reynes, Roger Kluge, and Mathias Frank.

The squad is now ready for its first race which takes place on Sunday. The traditional opener of the European season, the GP la Marseillaise, will be the scene for its debut and will also mark Chavanel's first race in his new colours.

Chavanel has maintained his condition by doing some cyclo-cross races during the winter and he will find the hilly course around Marseille to his liking. The race has been won both from a breakaway or a sprint from a reduced group and suits aggressors like the former French champion. However, it is unlikely that Chavanel is in a condition that will allow him to fight for the win, with his first big objective being the Paris-Nice in March.

Chavanel will be joined by Pineau who will also do his first race in Marseille. The duo of newcomers will be joined by a number of fast finishers, with Sebastien Hinault, Kristof Goddaert and Matteo Pelucchi offering opportunities in case of a sprint finish.

The team is completed by allrounder Reto Hollenstein, Swiss talent Marcel Aregger and young Swiss climber Jonathan Fumeaux.

IAM Cycling for GP La Marseillaise:

Sylvain Chavanel, Jerome Pineau, Matteo Pelucchi, Sebastien Hinault, Kristof Goddaert, Reto Hollenstein, Marcel Aregger, and Jonathan Fumeaux