IAM have announced their line-up for the Criterium International.

Since 2010, the Critérium International has taken place on the island of Corsica, during which two days of racing offer three difficult stages: a short and rolling road race (90.5 km), an individual time trial (7km), and a mountainous full stage (171.5km) complete with a mountain top finish.  Because of this intense diversity in terrain and efforts, the race is also known as a “mini Tour de France”.

“The Critérium is a very short stage race.  Our goal for sure is to win a stage,” explained the team’s directeur sportif for the event, Mario Chiesa.  “With Jérôme Coppel and Matthias Brändle, we can really have high hopes of taking the time trial.  The mountain stage on Sunday will not be easy.  Nevertheless, we will look to a place in the top-5 for the overall classification, especially if we can do well in the time trial the day before.

The Swiss rider Pirmin Lang is one of the most important helpers on the IAM Cycling team.  At the weekend, the 32 year old rider returned home from having spent eight days training on Mallorca in ideally warm conditions, and was able to spend a few days with his family at the same time. 

“I feel better.  My sensations during training were good, and reading the data from my rides indicate that I have made progress and am in good shape,” Lang explained.  “For me, I will not be going to the Critérium International looking for amazing personal results, but really want to be on hand to help my teammates as much as possible.  We as a team definitely want to come away with a super result.”

 IAM Cycling most fondly remembers the 2014 edition of this race.  Two years ago Mathias Frank proved to be very much in form by winning the mountain stage at the top of the Col de l’Ospedale on Sunday, and missed out on the overall victory of this mini-Tour by one second only.