With the world championships barely finished, the classics specialists will turn their attention to northern Italy where they will find late season opportunities. Starting with Milan-Turin, then the GranPiemonte, and finishing with the Tour of Lombardy, those who do not find victory at the world championships in Richmond can make another attempt on perhaps more favorable terrain which will include even a summit finish at the top of the Colle di Superga near Turin, which was the host city for the 2006 Winter Olympics.  

IAM Cycling is among those determined to perform strongly after having digested the setback that the team suffered in the world team time trial championships due to an untimely mechanical problem.  In any case, the Swiss professional team will have its work cut out if it wants to aim for podium places or a victory.

Martin Elmiger had a strong spring campaign where he finished in the top-10 for both the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, but was not chosen by Swiss Cycling to represent his country at the world championships. The classics specialist Elmiger does not expect to play a leading role over the Piedmont and Lombard roads. 

“We have not talked about the strategy or tactics that we will adopt at either of the races (Milan-Turin and Tour of Lombardy).  In principle, I expect to put myself completely at the service of the team because these races don’t really suit my strengths.  They are much better opportunities for our pure climbers since the profiles are very difficult. 

"In these kinds of classics, there are no miracles; the big guns are still right at the front for the finale.  Those who were strong in the Vuelta will also be playing leading roles in Italy.  I trained well, but training is never enough to replicate the rhythm you get from competition. 

"However, we are certainly not going to the races just to show up.  You can always surprise.  Look at Jérôme Coppel who has made quite a name for himself in the best way by taking a bronze medal in the world championship time trial.  He can surprise some people at the Lombardy finish in Como because that course is really suited to his qualities.”

Milan - Turin (Thursday, October 1st)

Clément Chevrier (F)

Thomas Degand (Bel)

Stefan Denifl (Aut)

Martin Elmiger (S)

Mathias Frank (S)

Jarlinson Pantano (Col)

Patrick Schelling (S)

Marcel Wyss (S)

GranPiemonte (Friday, October 2nd)

Marcel Aregger (S)

Thomas Degand (Bel)

Jonathan Fumeaux (S)

Pirmin Lang (S)

Simon Pellaud (S)

Sébastien Reichenbach (S)

Patrick Schelling (S)

Larry Warbasse (USA)

Tour of Lombardy (Sunday, October 4th)

Stef Clement  (Ned)

Jérôme Coppel (Fr)

Stefan Denifl (Aut)

Martin Elmiger (S)

Mathias Frank (S)

Jarlinson Pantano (Col)

Larry Warbasse (USA)

Marcel Wyss (S)