Next week the 2015 cycling season will kick off in Australia when the top tier teams go back on the road again. Indeed, the first test on the World Tour calendar takes place Down Under. Having been promoted to the WorldTour in professional cycling following two successful years as a Pro Continental team, IAM Cycling wants to make an immediate impression in view of their new status. 

With riders like Martin Elmiger, Heinrich Haussler and Co. on hand, the team feels like it has a great chance. Michel Thétaz, founder of IAM Cycling and CEO of IAM Funds, is convinced that now is a good time to talk about the ambitions of his team.

“The emotion and satisfaction of getting a WorldTour license is part of the past. Now we stop celebrating and will work on the task. In view of our commitments, we have strengthened our group of riders as well as the staff. It’s important that we now build on the strong fighting spirit we espoused at the team presentation in early December. I am certain that the Santos Tour Down Under will give us the chance we need to highlight the team’s strengths. Since the beginning of the IAM Cycling team, I have promoted this anti-star system. We want all the riders to be involved in the success of the chosen leader for the various situations.”

On the Australian roads, IAM Cycling will have two riders riding in national champion’s jerseys following Heinrich Haussler’s recent victory at the Australian national road race championships, in addition to Martin Elmiger’s Swiss champion’s jersey, which he won in June 2014. Michel Thétaz joined in rejoicing the Australian puncheur’s new title. 

“The Santos Tour Down Under will be the first test that the IAM Cycling wolf pack will face to see whether all our hard work will pay off. And if there are adjustments that need to be made, we will have time to do the necessary work, if needed. But it is true that we could not have had a better start to the season than with this title that Heino [Haussler] won. Not only is it great for the team, but it is so important for a rider like Heino who has put in so much work on his side to get into the best condition possible for this season start. And I will be very proud to see two national champion’s jerseys within the IAM Cycling team for the coming months.” 

Riders:

Stef Clement (Ned)
Martin Elmiger (S)
Heinrich Haussler (Aus)
Roger Kluge (Ger)
Jarlinson Pantano (Col)
Vicente Reynes (Sp)
David Tanner (Aus).

Directeur sportif: Kjell Carlström.