“The Giro d’Italia was already interesting for us this season. And we are definitely interested in participating in the event next year.” Michel Thétaz, founder and CEO of IAM SA (IAM Investment Funds) and owner of the IAM Cycling team, confessed without reservation his hope for the future. The only Swiss professional cycling team is ready to take a big leap in its young development.

Serge Beucherie, IAM Cycling’s sports manager, also attended the presentation ceremony at the Ice Palace in Milan for the 2014 edition of the race (May 9-June 1). He confirmed that the team would be very interested in taking part in the three week event. “Obviously we have applied to participate next year. As a Pro Continental team, we must apply. But it will not be a small undertaking since the 2014 Giro will be a race for the climbers and require perfect organization at all times; the course will take us from the start of the race in Belfast, Northern Ireland, before we end up in Bari at the south end of the peninsula. Nevertheless, we hope to receive an invitation for the event. I would definitely classify next year’s Giro as offering a realistically humane course.”

Kjell Carlström, directeur sportif and Alfonso Bisogno, administrative director, were also present along with Thomas Löfkvist, who wore the pink jersey in the 2009 edition thanks to a victory he shared in that year’s team time trial.  They rubbed shoulders alongside riders such as Ivan Basso (Cannondale), Andy Schleck (RadioShack-Leopard), Cadel Evans (BMC Racing Team), Michele Scarponi (Lampre-Merida), as well as the 2013 victor, Vincenzo Nibali (Astana). Löfkvist gave his opinion on the difficult course:

“A Grand Tour must be hard, but there is no need to provide an inhumane spectacle. With this one, I found a nice balanced course that I would be happy to race.”