The People’s Choice Classic, which acts as a warm up race for the first WorldTour event of the calendar, the Santos Tour Down Under, was won in a sprint by Marcel Kittel (Giant-Alpecin). The race is a criterium that takes place over 51 kilometers (31 laps of 1.7 km in length), and IAM Cycling rose to the challenge in the finale against the best sprinters in the world. Thanks to the hard work of his teammates, Heinrich Haussler succeeded in finishing in 5th place.
 
When quizzed after the race, the new Austrian road race champion, though he was unable to wear the distinctive jersey in this race, declared himself satisfied with his result. 

“I was coming from behind very, very fast (then) the door closed a little bit, I had to brake, stop pedaling, but that's sprinting,” said Haussler. “It's a good sign for the rest of the week (because ) the boys did great work today. I am confident going into the Santos Tour Down Under.  I had to brake in the sprint in order to avoid ending up being pushed into the balustrade, but I still managed to grab 5th place.  The team did a good job and I’m happy with my form.  I felt really good.”

 
Directeur sportif for IAM Cycling, Kjell Carlström was equally happy. 

“Heino could not wear his Australian champion’s jersey for this criterium since it’s not actually on the UCI calendar, but that didn’t prevent him from playing for the win.  We planned to put all our strength in the final.  Each guy had been tasked to remain within the top-15 for the final two laps, and all managed to do that.  Perhaps Roger Kluge went to the front a little too early, but we really put all our efforts into winning this criterium.  And we will do the same at the Santos Tour Down Under.  If luck is on our side, we can aim for victories in stages 1, 2, 4, and 6.  After today’s 5th place with Heinrich Haussler, the confidence is there.”