IAM had a bad opening day in the Tour of Norway as GC rider Sebastein Reichenbach crashed on the wet roads and the team failed to feature in the final sprint. However, the team is still hopeful that they will make their mark in the final four stages of the race.

The 2014 Tour of Norway began the same way the 2013 version did: with a sprint.  Alexander Kristoff (Katusha), who won three stages last year, grabbed his fourth victory of the season in the first stage of the Tour of Norway. 

IAM Cycling settled for a couple of places in the top 30 thanks to Aleksejs Saramotins and Sébastien Hinault.  Kjell Carlström, who is working as a directeur sportif for the Swiss team along with Rubens Bertogliati, was not disappointed with how the day turned out. 

“Although Sébastien Reichenbach crashed in the last ten kilometers, he did not suffer any injury, and we still took part in the sprint with Sébastien Hinault and Aleksejs Saramotins.  But because of a small climb in the last kilometer, and a descent made slippery by the rain, our guys were not able to fight for a place in the top 10.  They will have a chance to be there in the next stage, though. 

"We are playing two options in Norway.  Friday and Saturday, Jonathan Fumeaux and Sébastien Reichenbach will find the profiles that are best suited to their strengths.  We showed ourselves well in these same stages last year, so I am sure our guys are motivated to do as well again.”