It has been a fantastic Tour du Poitou-Charentes this yea, with home soil rider Thomas Voeckler taking a surprise overall victory in front of the Spanish champion Jesus Herrada Lopez (Movistar) who claimed his podium spot by beating his fellow escapees in the final stage.

IAM Cycling also had a great race with two podium finishes and a 5th place on GC with Gustav Larsson. The Directeur sportif, Eddy Seigneur, has only reasons to be satisfied “Patrick Schelling found the opening to take a part in the break of the day.  At the end of the stage we had Saramotins and Pelucchi for the sprint.  Having taken two podiums in the stages, and 5th place overall for Gustav Larsson, we have fulfilled our contract.” 

23-year old Patrick Schelling was not intended to race Tour du Poitou-Charentes, but due to a family emergency he filled in for Pirmin Lang. This means that the young rider is completing his second 4-day race in the short space of 15 days and has already earned an important role on the Swiss Pro Continental team.

“I am pretty happy with my performances," Schelling said. " We succeeded in defending Martin Elmiger’s yellow jersey at the Tour du Limousin. Then I found myself a member of the team for the second race.  Unfortunately, I have not had a top day at the Tour du Poitou-Charentes. Today, it was very hard to find the right breakaway group.  I did my best, but in the final when the Russians went to the front of the group, I had to let go.” 

The rest of the season is planned for Schelling, who will race again at the Tour of the Jura and later in the Tour du Doubs taking place in mid-September.