With his weekly program focused primarily on recovery, Sébastien Reichenbach has everything on his side before he leaves on Friday in the direction of Mantes-la-Jolie, which acts as the place of departure for the 72nd edition of Paris-Nice. 

 

“Last Sunday at the GP Lugano, we invested quite a lot of energy to go for the win.  A crash at the bottom of the final climb succeeded in messing up our organization a little.  But fatigue played a role at the end of the day.  Nevertheless, I still have tried to find a good rhythm and feeling in my legs.  On Wednesday I headed out for four hours with a variation in intensities.” 

 

Since it is his first “Race to the Sun” the IAM Cycling second year pro will be there primarily to support the team’s designated leader. 

 

“There is no prologue, no time trial and no summit finish, consequently this is a Paris-Nice that is practically tailor-made for Sylvain Chavanel.  In 2013, he won the stage that finished in a sprint on the Promenade des Anglais, took the green jersey for the points classification and finished 5th overall.  This is will be his first big goal of the season.  He has prepared well for this event and is getting stronger. 

 

"But we must be always alert to the effects of the wind, and remember that we will have a wall to climb once we arrive in Fayence, which we already had a preview of at the Tour du Haut-Var.  So there is no question that we will not be standing by idly during the week.”

 

Sébastien Reichenbach recognizes the benefit for him to be mingling so closely with pros of the talent and experience of Sylvain Chavanel and Jérôme Pineau. 

 

“I am continually learning.  It can only benefit everyone to have guys like that on the team.  In particular I am learning how to position myself in the field as well as defend my space.  It is not super easy to do, and you always have to concentrate. 

 

"But in order to make any progress, I must be willing to make the sacrifices and put in the work.  And with Paris-Nice, I have the ideal opportunity in a World Tour race.  The level is higher, and the greater importance given to the event means that everyone is just that much more nervous.  But I would perhaps like to have the chance to get away in a breakaway.  One thing is certain and that is I have been feeling strong all season.”

 

Sylvain Chavanel (F), Stefan Denifl (Aut), Mathias Frank (S), Sébastien Hinault (F), Kevyn Ista (Bel),  Jérôme Pineau (F), Sébastien Reichenbach (S), Aleksejs Saramotins (Lat).