The jump to the World Tour has paid off for IAM, and the same goes for Reto Hollenstein. The Swiss had his best season as a professional in 2015 and draws a positive balance. “I was able to improve steadily in many areas and once again make a step forward,” Holleinstein told radsport-news.com.

The 30-year-old was second in the Swiss Time Trial Championships, ended the Eneco Tour in 15th place and finished the Tour de l`Eurometropole (2.1) in fifth. "Especially in the Eneco Tour I have seen that I can compete with the best at the highest level. That gives me a lot of confidence for the coming season,” Hollenstein said.

However, all these results were overshadowed by his participation in the biggest race in the world.  "My personal highlight was the selection for the Tour de France," said Hollenstein whose first child was born shortly before leaving for Utrecht and the Grand Départ. "So I went to the Tour with full motivation,” he said.

Hollenstein did not only do his domestique job satisfactorily. Unlike last year, he also managed to reach the finish and enjoy the final laps on the Champs Elysées. "To ride into Paris is a great experience," said Hollenstein who had to abandon after a crash in 2014.

The only setback came in the spring when he suffered from the flu shortly before Tirreno-Adriatico. He was to have a two-week break and it set him back in the subsequent classics.

In the upcoming season, Hollenstein wants to do better in the spring classics and again earn himself selection for the Tour. "As the Tour will visit Switzerland next year, it would be very special to be there," he said. In the 2016 season, Hollenstein does not only want to be a domestique. "If I get the freedom, I will use it even better. This is especially true for the autumn,” he announced.