A few weeks after finishing second in the Four Days of Dunkirk, Sylvain Chavanel proved that he is in great condition when he finished third in the Tour of Belgium time trial. The Frenchman promises to try to attack his former teammate Tony Martin in the finaly hilly stages.

Sylvain Chavanel took 3rd place in the Tour of Belgium’s time trial, which was won by specialist and current time trial world champion Tony Martin (Omega Pharma Quickstep).  Matthias Brändle (5th) and Reto Hollenstein (10th) also cracked the top 10 for IAM Cycling. 

Eddy Seigneur underlined the overall performance of his riders. 

“The guys gave everything.  We took the top place in the team standings.  And Sylvain was on equal terms with the best riders today.  I saw some really great things.  We are ready to try our luck in the last two stages.”
 
For his part, Sylvain Chavanel could find satisfaction in his performance in the time trial. 

“I am happy with what I did on this course, which was really tailor made for riders like Martin and Dumoulin.  I prefer courses that offer a little more undulation.  To race well in my second time trial this season, after I already took 3rd in the Med Tour, I feel like I am on course and I even still have time to improve before the Dauphiné. 

"The sensations in my legs are good.  I’m going to hang on because there are two difficult stages yet to go.  Nothing is lost and with a team like IAM Cycling, we have not said our last word.”