Heinrich Haussler’s 4th place finish during Sunday’s Gent-Wevelgem has given IAM Cycling a real Classics appetite.

The Swiss team has come to Bruges with its eight riders and full intentions of stamping its mark on this Monument on the WorldTour calendar. Directeur Sportif Serge Beucherie wants to give the organizers a good show after they had the courage to invite the first-year team to the prestigious race.

“With Heinrich Haussler’s 4th place at Gent-Wevelgem, we proved that we have the foundations needed to succeed in these most difficult races. It is also reassuring to the organizers to see that we have the grit to animate their races, and it shows how much we appreciate their consideration. Our goals will be the same for the Tour of Flanders. We cannot pretend to be favorites for such a test, but that will not stop us from doing our best to influence the race. Best case scenario of course would be for Haussler or one of our riders to podium at the race. Heino grabbed 2nd place in 2009 and who knows if he will repeat that excellent finish, but he has the form to do it, or even go one better.”