While the sprinters compete in the heat of Qatar, the puncheurs will be finding a more fertile hunting ground for their qualities racing over Spanish roads this coming Sunday.  The Clasica Almeria gets the ball rolling for IAM Cycling Classics riders, most of whom will also be racing the Ruta del Sol, which is a difficult race both in terms of the terrain and the riders likely to participate.

Mario Chiesa will act as the directeur sportif for the Swiss Professional team during their upcoming sojourn on the Iberian Peninsula. He stresses the importance for the team to do well and especially not to give up at the first moment of difficulty. 

“There are some strong riders who are on the list of entrants for Sunday’s race and for the following week’s stage race.  We are not here just to participate and sign in each morning, but to do our absolute best.  Of course, we must remain realistic, and not assume that we’ll win every stage. 

"The team, however, has several points in its favor on this sort of course, which, despite the number of climbs, will likely go to a sprinter like Sondre Holst Enger. Matteo Pelucchi already has won this race back in 2011.  Everything will depend on how the race unfolds.  In Spain, it can get crazy in all directions as soon as the starting flag is dropped.  And certainly the Clasica Almeria will be good preparation for Sylvain Chavanel, considering Het Nieuwsblad is already coming at the end of the month in Belgium.”

Riders: 
Sylvain Chavanel (Fr)
Clément Chevrier (Fr)
Jonathan Fumeaux (S)
Sondre Holst Enger (Nor)
Simon Pellaud (S)
Jérôme Pineau (Fr)
Patrick Schelling (S)