After living two weeks at the top of the col de La Bernina, 2300 meters above sea level from where they would take training rides around Engadine and Valteline, Mathias Frank and his teammates Jarlinson Pantano and Marcel Wyss followed that workload up by spending four days in the Pyrenees climbing the passes the Tour will face this year. 

Needless to say, the three IAM Cycling riders hardly had time to watch their teammates’ strong performances at the Giro d’Italia and the Baloise Belgian Tour on TV.  Marcello Albasini, coach and directeur sportif for the Swiss team, enthusiastically complemented the hard work that the riders have accomplished in this long training block from May 11th until May 28th. 

“I am very happy with how the training camp went, and also how well our recon of the Pyrenees unfolded.  We were very lucky with the weather both in Switzerland and in France.  When the snow did arrive at Bernina, we would take a rest day or ride towards Tirano, Italy, where the temperatures were much more agreeable.  I saw some really good things from our guys. 

"Everything was perfectly organized, including travelling to Pau with a private plane, which saved us dozens of hours in travel time.  Doing a reconnaissance of the stages going to La Pierre-Saint-Martin, to the Vallée de Saint-Savin, and to Plateau de Beille was really necessary.  We learned a lot, not just about the climbs and what the surfaces were like, but also about the technical descents on narrow roads.”

Mathias Frank, who will be IAM Cycling’s leader for the Tour de France, appreciated both the altitude training and the reconnaissance, especially since the Tour will be his main goal for the season. 

“We trained under perfect conditions and with a great spirit and atmosphere at Bernina.  And then things just got better when we flew with a private plane to the Pyrenees, which saved us from untold fatigue since we didn’t have to wear ourselves out with the long trip.

"I’ve discovered the great passes of the Pyrenees that are planned for the 2015 Tour de France in optimal conditions.  Since I’ve never gotten this far in La Grande Boucle because of having to abandon, this was a first for me.  I could take the time to get my bearings and discover the key moments for this coming edition of the race. 

"The beginning of the ascent to La Pierre-Saint-Martin, for example, is really steep and difficult.  But for me, the queen stage of this Tour de France will undoubtedly be the one leading up to Plateau de Beille with the successive crossings of the Portet d’Aspet, of the col de la Core, and of the Port de Lers before the final climb of the day to Plateau de Beille.  I hope I will feel as good then as I do now because I feel like my form is finally here.”