VeloNews has spoken to Aussie Heinrich Haussler at the Giro to ask him about his feelings on Monday’s email that his IAM team would disband at the end of the current season.

“Obviously the staff and some of the riders were a little bit upset,” said Haussler. “But DS Rik Verbrugge told us, ‘Now we really need to keep together as a team and not try to do individual things … that it’s because we only can get results as a team. We have to try to stick together.’ He gave us a good talk, kept us in a good mood, a positive attitude to look towards the future.”

Riders had been aware that team owner Michel Thétaz had been considering numerous options for 2017, including finishing the team, for some time. Nonetheless, Haussler said it was still a shock when the email came through.

“We all got an email from Michel — one or two hours before the press release,” Haussler said. “I don’t think anyone else from the team knew; for example, the sports directors and Rik got the same email as we did. For a lot of staff and riders it was a shock.”

Haussler said that the whole team respects and is pleased with Thétaz for at least letting the riders know their fate in May rather than later in the year, giving them all a chance at finding a new team.

“You have to say it is fair because it’s May. It’s not August or September,” Haussler said. “You also have to remember that it’s his own money out of his own pocket. It’s not, for example, Coca-Cola or other big companies where they just throw away the money like that. It’s a lot of money. You have to hand it to him that he did it [created the team] in the first place.”

The 32 year old said the team now has renewed motivation, not just to do well and get results, but to put themselves in the shop window for interested teams.

“It’s still really hard. It’s not an easy situation for anyone when a team stops. But it is May and opportunities are still there to perform and put yourself out there and show yourself.”