“We are not going there to watch the others.  We are going there to get results.  We need to gain confidence in Norway.” 

 

Rubens Bertogliati, who along with Kjell Carlström will be a directeur sportif at the Tour of Norway, sets the tone when talking about IAM Cycling’s ambitions for one of the many tours that the team will ride in the coming month.  Jonathan Fumeaux and Sébastien Reichenbach do not contradict him and emphasize the quality of the team that is being sent. 

 

“After doing the Tour of Romandie and before we tackle stage races like the Dauphiné Libéré and the Tour of Switzerland, this race gives us the chance to get back into the rhythm with some beautiful stages.  There is as much for the sprinters to do as the climbers.”

 

Rubens Bertogliati refers to the Tour of Norway as a launching pad. 

 

“During the month of May, we have events like the Tour of Norway, World Ports Classic, Tour of Bavaria and the Tour of Belgium.  These races help us to prepare for upcoming events like the Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré and the Tour of Switzerland, not to mention the Tour de France. 

 

"The upcoming races in May are important to accumulate the kilometers in view of our big objectives.  We’re not going to Norway to force the decisive selections, but that doesn’t stop us from thinking about making some results. 

 

"At last year’s edition, we won the team classification.  Sébastien Hinault and Matteo Pelucchi took third in two stages while Johann Tschopp, Reto Hollenstein and Sébastien Reichenbach all finished in the top 15 overall.  That means that this year too, we’re not going to Norway just to play second fiddle.”