Anyone who thinks that the Ster ZLM Tour is going to be a cake walk is going to be in for a nasty surprise. With the Cauberg, Cote de Rossier, and the La Redoute to be tackled, the puncheurs will be busy throughout this five day race in the Netherlands.  But fortunately, the lovers of pure speed will also be getting their money’s worth on a couple of stages where a mass sprint will be likely. 

With this in mind, the IAM Cycling team has decided to show up for its first participation in this event with a group of riders that will be able to excel over such a varied course.  

“We really have a strong team, and are well suited for this race,” Roger Kluge explained.  “My role will be to take Matteo Pelucchi as far as possible.  I think he has recovered from his crash in the Giro by now.

"But if it turns out that he is not yet in top form and has not returned to 100% capacity, then we will talk things over with the team.  My last sprint at the Giro (3rd place in the final stage) gave me a little more confidence.  But that did come after three weeks of racing, and I have to admit that I am not as explosive at the start of a grand tour, for example. 

"Worst case scenario, if I am unable to play my own card, then Heinrich Haussler also will be at the race and can try to do something.  So that all just means that we have a team capable of going fast.”

The IAM Cycling team at the ZLM Tour will be basically comprised of sprinters and young riders who will be anxious to help their teammates.  With this mix of experience and freshness, this could be a recipe to get some nice results. 

“For us, winning a stage is the minimum goal for this race,” Kluge declared.  “We have the riders who can do it.  For me personally, I would like to do well in the opening prologue that first day.  I raced the German Track Championships where I felt pretty comfortable, so we’ll see what happens in the race.”

Riders:

Marcel Aregger (S)

Thomas Degand (Bel)

Heinrich Haussler (Aus)

Sondre Hols Enger (Nor)

Roger Kluge (Ger)

Pirmin Lang (S)

Matteo Pelucchi (It)