Wihout a genuine GC contender, IAM will line up at the Vuelta a Espana with a focus on stage wins. The team has been forced to make a late change to a roster as injury has taken out young climber Patrick Schelling who will be replaced by Dominic Klemme.

“The Tour of Spain is among the very few, elite group of three week Grand Tours.  In our state of mind, we know we are participating in a great race and will go to the start at Jerez de la Frontera with the same infrastructure and commitment that we took to the Tour de France.  We will not skimp on anything at all, particularly with staff and mechanics.  Even the cook will join the group.  The only difference is that we know we are going without a true leader who could play for a place in the top-10.” 

Just days before the start of the Vuelta in Andalucia, Michel Thétaz, the founder of IAM Cycling and CEO of IAMFUNDS.CH, explains the goals that the nine riders selected will have.

Satisfied with the performance of the two IAM Cycling groups involved in the Vuelta a Burgos and the Arctic Race of Norway, Michel Thétaz emphasized the values that the team will represent when they race across the Iberian Peninsula beginning this Saturday. 

“The Tour of Spain will be very tough with Quintana, Valverde, Rodriguez, Froome and Contador fighting for supremacy.  It will be difficult for us to match them.  

"Consequently, we will target stage victories, as we so successfully did in Burgos.  With two wins there and an additional second place, we have demonstrated both our abilities and our thirst for success.  We recognize it will not be easy to duplicate that performance in light of the quality of the competition. 

"Nevertheless, our guys cut a fine figure and the atmosphere is tip-top ever since our altitude training session in Bernina.  This is a very good sign that the Vuelta group will be quick to honor the spirit and philosophy of IAM Cycling.”

The only drawback IAM Cycling faces is that, at the last minute, the team will have to do without the services of the climber Patrick Schelling.  As a result of the injuries he suffered from his heavy crash last week at the Vuelta a Burgos, the 24 year old Schelling suffered a bone avulsion at his shoulder and will be forced to be out for four to six weeks.  This will necessarily forfeit his place on the IAM Cycling Vuelta squad; team management has appointed Dominic Klemme as a replacement.