IAM Cycling had a great day at the Tour of Portugal’s 2nd stage between Oliviera de Azeméis – Viana do Castelo (187.2 km). Not only did Marcel Wyss take the yellow jersey, after having already shown good form at the Trophée Matteotti ten days earlier, but Aleksejs Saramotins finished in third place after a sprint up a false flat which was won by the Portuguese Sousa (Efapel). 

Directeur sportif, Kjell Carlström, was very pleased with the results of the day and the performance of his riders. 

“All the guys have earned hearty congratulations today. The heat wave returned with temperatures of 39 degrees and a headwind over the 187 kilometre course. Not only that, but the stage was essentially a series of winding climbs and descents. But the guys have carried out all pre-stage instructions, and tactically, we were spot on. Of course, to have had Reto Hollenstein caught within the final kilometre is a real pain.” 

Naturally, from here on out, Carlström could hardly reveal the IAM Cycling strategy for the coming stages. 

“Marcel Wyss took over the yellow jersey, due largely to the good performance the team had in the prologue team time trial. The differences are small, but we have not yet settled on our tactics. The stage Saturday is, in principle, more a stage for the sprinters. We will control part of the day, but other teams will certainly see it in their interest to contribute as the finish line approaches.”