IAM Cycling will send its classics riders and sprinters to the Tour of Qatar which kicks off on Sunday. With experienced riders like Martin Elmiger and Heinrich Haussler on the roster, the team is hoping to play an important role in the race that is usually dominated by strong winds.

As with its first year of racing, IAM Cycling received two beginning of the season invitations to the Tours of Qatar and Oman by the ASO (Amaury Sport Organisation), the organizer of the Tour de France.  It is an excellent early season opportunity for the Swiss Pro Continental team to go head to head with the top teams in the World Tour. 

The riders also welcome a chance to race in the quasi summer-like temperatures the region generally offers for the event.  Nevertheless, Martin Elmiger recognizes that it won’t be all smooth sailing as far as the weather is concerned. 

“In Qatar, we must already look to beating the wind," he said. " There is no protection from it there since the country is almost flat and the roads are carved out of the desert.  In the pack, we move the entire stage just fighting to have the best position.  There are often echelons and breaks in the peloton that scatter the riders all over the course.  But it is a perfect opportunity to refine the details and technique so that we can improve for races later in the year.”      

Elmiger took an excellent 2nd place in the first stage of last year’s Tour of Qatar which stretched between Doha and Dukhan.  The 35 year old from Zug, Switzerland, emphasizes the importance of repeating that performance if at all possible. 

“In Doha, the average temperature is around 22 or 23 degrees Celsius this time of year," he said. "Everyone will be there to check his form after the winter training.  The competition will be fierce.  If we can win a stage, that would be perfect, but the important thing will be really to influence the race, as we did last year.  We have a good team and also seek to improve our technique in the race.”

Elmiger will be joined by Heinrich Haussler who has always performed strongly in Qatar where he has once finished 2nd and is a past stage winner. They will be joined by more fast finishers as Matteo Pelucchi, Kristof Goddaert, Sebastien Hinault, and Kevyn Ista will all travel to the desert. The team is completed by Marcel Aregger and classics rider Dominic Klemme.

IAM for the Tour of Qatar:

Marcel Aregger (S), Martin Elmiger (S), Kristof Goddaert (Bel), Heinrich Haussler (Aus), Sébastien Hinault (F), Kevyn Ista (Bel), Dominic Klemme (Ger), Matteo Pelucchi (It)