IAM Cycling can be very pleased at the end of the third stage of the Tour of Norway, which was won by Sep Vanmarcke (Belkin).  Not only did Gustav Larsson finish a close second to Vanmarcke on the stage, he has moved into 3rd place overall just a handfull of seconds behind Marc de Maar (UHC), while Aleksejs Saramotins (7th on the stage) also finds himself in the top 10 overall. 

 

Kjell Carlström, acting as a directeur sportif along with Rubens Bertogliati, congratulated his riders for their efforts. 

 

“The guys have done exactly what we asked them to do in the briefing.  It was important to be on the offensive on the last two climbs for the day. Gustav Larsson found the resources to bridge back up to the lead group and take second place on the stage. 

 

Saturday’s decisive stage into Lillehammer will be an important appointment.  The final circuit that we’ll have to do twice includes a selective climb, and can help our chances.  And in addition to Gustav, we have other assets in the form of Jonathan Fumeaux, Sébastien Reichenbach and especially Aleksejs Saramotins who has been at the front since the start of the Tour of Norway.”

 

Showing impressive power and efficient use of his energies, which helped propel him to bridge with authority to the lead group, Gustav Larsson welcomed a chance to show his good form. 

 

“I tried my luck without knowing whether I was going to be able to succeed in joining the break.  I had not checked this particular part of the course because I am here to prepare for the Dauphiné Libéré. 

 

"But I have had good legs since the start, and I was able to surprise myself today.  So I intent to seize this opportunity and am ready to give everything to win in tomorrow’s stage, which will probably be decisive.”