IAM Cycling has selected its roster for the Tour of Oman which starts tomorrow, and after a week of fast racing in Qatar, the team has send its climbers to the Middle East sultanate. Thomas Löfkvist will use the race to test himself ahead of the Tirreno-Adriatico while Johann Tschopp may come to the fore on the many climbs.

Sun, heat and a summit finish are what IAM Cycling has to look forward to this week of racing.  The Swiss Pro Continental team has left the long, straight, flat and windy roads of Qatar for the less monotonous landscape of Oman. 

Having been invited again to this race by the ASO, who also organizes the Tour de France, the team led by Kjell Carlström has some serious advantages to rely on, particularly with a rider like Thomas Löfkvist, who is very pleased with his condition after racing four stages at the Mallorca Challenge. 

“The training went well. This winter we really enjoyed good conditions in Switzerland which made all the training easier and more enjoyable without the snow and cold.  It’s fun even if we are working seriously towards our racing program.” 

The 29 year old Swedish rider has lived many years with his family in the Zurich area, and is excited again to be back in the racing season. 

“After our nine day training camp in Mallorca, I moved onto an intensive two week training program, but recently have been taking it a little easier.  I definitely felt comfortable on the long climbs in the Mallorca Challenge.  So now I look to test myself at the Tour of Oman.  I’ve never participated in that race, but I am interested to see where I stand in relation to the other strong riders who will be there.  The competition will be intense and there is also a summit finish.  I know what I have to do to be ready to excel at the Tirreno-Adriatico (March 12th through 18th), which is my first major goal of the season.”

In addition to Löfkvist, the team can count on climbers Mathias Frank and Johann Tschopp. While the former is not yet in his best condition, the latter could again excel in Oman as he did 12  months ago, finishing 6th overall. They will be joined by 5 riders who did the recent Tour of Qatar, with Heinrich Haussler, Sebastien Hinault and Kevyn Ista set to target the sprints and an in-form Martin Elmiger having a focus on some of the hillier days. Young Marcel Aregger completes the roster.

You can read our extensive preview of the race here.

IAM Cycling for the Tour of Oman

Marcel Aregger (S), Martin Elmiger (S), Mathias Frank (S), Heinrich Haussler (Aus), Sébastien Hinault (F), Kevyn Ista (Bel), Thomas Löfkvist (Swe), Johann Tschopp (S).