Chance or luck plays an integral part in constructing a team’s success.  It became clear that the good fortune that followed IAM Cycling throughout the second stage of the Eurométropole Tour, was conspicuously absent on the third stage in Belgium where Edward Theuns (Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise) took his share for the win. 

After a final stretch of about 300 meters, Theuns outpaced Michael Van Staeyen (Cofidis) and Louis Verhelst (Cofidis).  And though the podium was dominated by Belgians, IAM Cycling’s young Norwegian sprinter Sondre Holst Enger managed to introduce a certain diversity.  Given the chance to sprint for himself because teammate and designated sprinter Jonas Van Genechten found himself blocked, the 21 year old Holst Enger confirmed his talent and succeeded in taking a promising sixth place. 

A win is a welcomed addition.  And in this calculation where chance figures prominently, the work of a team becomes a key factor.  Heinrich Haussler explains it this way:

“We cannot have the perfect chance to win every day, unfortunately.  We did exceptional work on Friday, as we did also on Saturday.  Each team member tried to make the perfect contribution to build up to another win.  But sprints are like this; it’s just like an authentic Belgian kermesse.  The race is so nervous, everyone starts to bang shoulders.  It’s amazing. 

"We tried to place ourselves in the best way to approach the finale, and I am satisfied with the attitude that we had.  The team did a lot of work, even if the outcome was not as great as we would have liked. 

"I am here to help Jonas Van Genechten one hundred percent.  I just got back from the world championships in the United States, and to be quite honest, I was not feeling that great at the start of the race.  Finally, the days go by and I am re-finding my good condition.  I hope I can confirm this in upcoming races.”

The directeurs sportifs for IAM Cycling at the Eurométropole Tour, Thierry Marichal and Mario Chiesa, have provided positive and constructive analysis of the third stage.  Even without the victory bouquet to adorn the dinner table, they can be pleased. 

“This Saturday we were on the Belgian coast, and it is of course a place that has the habit of being very windy,” Thierry Marichal explained.  “But today, we had exceptionally good conditions.  I mean, there was not a single breath of wind today. 

"The race was very fast and ended in a sprint as expected.  The sprint was planned for Jonas Van Genechten, but he unfortunately was blocked by the narrowing of the road in the final kilometers.  That’s when Sondre Holst Enger ended up in the better position than his leader, and he was able to produce his own effort.  Nevertheless, we saw some great teamwork from IAM Cycling again over the Belgian roads today, and I take my hat off to Simon Pellaud who did a great job working on the front to pull back the men in the break. 

"Now there remains only one day of racing, and having three riders in the top ten, we will certainly have to try something.  Our main goal was to win a stage, and that we have accomplished.  We’ll have to take some risks to get closer to the podium, and try to shake up the pack on the different ascents of Mont Saint-Aubert Sunday.  And if we fail to make the difference during the climbs, then we’ll throw our weight into playing for the win in the sprint.”