Mathias Frank’s victory this past Sunday at the summit of L’Ospedale climb for the queen stage of the Critérium International marked a high point from which the IAM Cycling team could begin its important weeklong preparations for the Tour of Flanders.  Now they also can celebrate the early morning call from the organizers of the Vuelta which confirmed the team’s invitation to the Tour of Spain set to take place from August 23rd to September 14th. 

 

General Manager for IAM Cycling Michel Thétaz savored the moment before expressing his satisfaction. 

 

“This is very good news that will allow us to complete our mission of growth for this year.  In fact, we started the year with the definite objective of participating in two Grand Tours.  Even if we did not receive the invitation to ride in the Giro, the confirmation to ride the Tour de France was a great gift. 

 

"And now this invitation to the Vuelta is an honor as much as a joy, since it recognizes the work of the entire team, riders, support staff and management.  And for the sponsor, there will be great visibility, which is not the least of the goals. 

 

"Early this year, we made contact with Unipublic and forged close associations, which in the end helped us.  But overall, it has been our strong performances in races like Tirreno-Adriatico and Critérium International that sealed the deal.”

 

Sports Manager Serge Beucherie was equally happy when giving his initial reactions to the announcement. 

 

“This is very good news and will allow us to give a chance to riders who may be necessarily excluded from the Tour de France squad as a result of strategic decisions.  Of course it is too early to give any names for riders who may participate in the Vuelta.  We will make that selection after we have named the squad for the Grande Boucle. 

 

"In fact, it is unlikely that we will have many riders who double up on the two Tours.  This means that nine additional riders will have the chance to compete in a Grand Tour this year.  But to ride the Vuelta will be an honor because, even with only eight mountain top finishes it will be properly difficult.”