Sylvain Chavanel, the first rider to win a classic on the WorldTour calendar for IAM Cycling since it was established in 2013, will miss the Grand Prix Ouest France Plouay on Sunday.

Since he is currently racing the Vuelta, Chavanel, who has also been the national time trial champion of France many times over, will leave to eight of his teammates the task of defending his win over the demanding circuit of more than 230 kilometers in Brittany. The Swiss professional team will be ready for the challenge taking place in the French department of Morbihan with a crew full of sprinters and punchy riders.

Jonathan Fumeaux has already proved to be essential help to his teammates at the Tour of Poland where Matteo Pelucchi won two stages and Sébastien Reichenbach earned himself a 3rd place on a stage as well. Then Fumeaux was off to recon the Rio de Janeiro course for the 2016 Olympic Games, and now is carefully prepared for his appointment in Morbihan. Fumeaux, who comes from the Valais region in Switzerland, was happy to speak about his form for the race. 

“I have had the chance to take numerous training rides on my home roads. So I am beginning the second part of my season feeling very good. The Tour of Poland went well and then I followed that with the pre-Olympic test. Despite the difficulty of the circuit in Brazil, I felt at ease. I even climbed that last hill among the top-10, but I missed a turn on the descent and ended up in the trees. Fortunately, I came away without a scratch, but the leaders were already far up the road by then.”

Jonathan Fumeaux was also keen to speak with respect about the GP Ouest France Plouay:

“I have recovered from the fatigue of the journey to Brazil, and I have carefully prepared for this traditional appointment for the last Sunday of August in France. I am curious to ride this demanding circuit. I have only ever seen it on television, but I know it is important to make good use of the climb just before the finish line. It’s also important to note that a lot of riders start to struggle with races that exceed 200 kilometers. But we have some very strong cards to play with riders like Haussler, who has already taken third at the race, and Elmiger, as well as our sprinters like Holst Enger and Van Genechten.”

IAM riders for the GP Ouest France - Plouay:

Clément Chevrier, Stefan Denifl, Dries Devenyns, Martin Elmiger, Jonathan Fumeaux, Heinrich Haussler, Sondre Holst Enger and Jonas Van Genechten.