IAM go into the Tour of Valencia with a versatile team that includes sprinter Jonas Van Genechten, time triallists Stef Clement and Matthias Brändle and climbers Stefan Denifl and Marcel Wyss.

 “The Tour of Valencia is a complete stage race,” sports manager for IAM Cycling Rik Verbrugghe explained.  “The time trial can make significant differences from the get-go.  But it is essential to stay with the best in the mountain stage to win the general classification.  Although a win would certainly be welcomed in the IAM Cycling camp, it is above all a test for the goals that will come a little later in the season.  We are thinking of Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico in particular.”

“A race is not a preparation.  I prepare to race.  When I have a bibnumber on my back, I want to be competitive,” the unpretentious Stef Clement declared.  “This year we want to be more visible in the peloton,” the Dutch rider continued to explain.  “This naturally should include some victories.  But to win the overall at Valencia, that is a different story.”

Line-up

Matthias Brändle  (Aut)

Stef Clement (Ned)

Stefan Denifl (Aut)

Reto Hollenstein (S)

Vegard Stake Laengen (Nor)

David Tanner (Aus)

Jonas Van Genechten (Bel)

Marcel Wyss (S)