Despite another excellent showing from young climber Jonathan Fumeaux, IAM left yestersay's GP Camaiore empty-handed. The team has now set its sights on tomorrow's Strade Bianche where they hope to make amends for the disappointing result.

After having taken third at the GP Lugano this past Sunday, Diego Ulissi (Lampre Merida) set the score straight with a victory at the GP de Camaiore, leaving only the crumbs for the rest of his competitors which included the eight riders on hand for IAM Cycling.

Nevertheless, Marcello Albasini believed that his team performed well throughout most of the day, enjoying spring-like temperatures (sun and 20°).

“Reto Hollenstein took an honorable 14th place in the bunch sprint for 5th place coming in on the heels of the escapees.  Like last year at Camaiore, we did not make the success we wanted.  The scenario proved to be similar and not much was missing for us to be in the front.  But the competition was intense; during the first two hours, in spite of a 3.5 kilometer climb, the average speed did not drop below 45km/h.”   

Albasini, IAM Cycling’s directeur sportif on the day, emphasized the hard work done by the team.

“I am satisfied with the riders.  They followed the instructions from the briefing by placing themselves well for the attack of the last climb.  At first, Patrick Schelling was able to keep the pace with the best before having to let go. 

"As for Jonathan Fumeaux, he was riding in 7th position at the top, but without being able to follow the wheels of the four escapees thereafter.  In the sprint for 5th place, we didn’t have enough protagonists to make a real play for it. 

"Now we’ll focus on the Strade Bianche and look for a little revenge for today.  At least we’ll recon the last 50 kilometers to Sienna.”