WIth no GC rider on the roster, IAM went into today's stage of the Vuelta a Espana hoping to join the early breakaway. Having missed out in the fierce fight in the beginning, the team is now looking for opportunities in tomorrow's sprint stage.

The third summit finish of the 2014 Tour of Spain was won by Fabio Aru (Astana), who got the jump on all the favorites to take the victory.  This did not prevent Alberto Contador (Saxo-Tinkoff) from defending his lead in the overall classification. 

For its part, IAM Cycling did not find an opening through which they could figure prominently in the stage since they did not come with a rider on the level that would be needed to fight for a place in the overall.  The best place riders for the Swiss Pro Continental team were Vicente Reynes in 61st, Jonathan Fumeaux in 68th and Johann Tschopp in 71st rolled in 8’14” behind the winner.
 
After the stage, which was run in hot and sunny weather, Rubens Bertogliati, directeur sportif along with Mario Chiesa, explained what the team’s strategy had been going into the day. 

“During our pre-race meeting, we urged the riders to find openings for their own opportunities.  We don’t have someone in our ranks who can climb with the group of favorites, but we can’t get into breaks every day. 

"For example, today it took a long day for the break to form finally, and unfortunately, without one of our riders.  But there will be other opportunities for us at this Vuelta.  Jonathan Fumeaux was caught up in a mass crash early in the stage, but he was able to continue. 

"Tomorrow is a stage that will finish with a circuit around Logroño, and should be for the sprinters.  That will give us a good opportunity to score a victory with Matteo Pelucchi, Vicente Reynes and Sébastien Hinault.”