In the past season, Sébastien Reichenbach (IAM) has shown that he is among the best in the mountains, especially in major. The Swiss was third in a stage at the Giro d’Italia and in the queen stage of the Tour de Pologne.

"My season balance is positive. I am improved significantly, especially with the WorldTour races," Reichenbach told radsport-news.com. However, he also had his fair share of bad luck because he was unable to take a single victory in 2015.

"I'm sure that it would have changed my career if I had won the Giro stage. Ultimately, that is a disappointment for me," said the 28-year-old. "I was not far from the victory in the Tour de Pologne either. I would really have loved to be first across the finish line at least once in the season,” said Reichenbach who dropped to 12th in the final standings in Poland.

He had more top results at the start of the year at the Vuelta a Andalucía where he was 9th and 7th in the two summit finishes on stages 3 and 4 respectively. He also did well at the Tour de Suisse as he was 13th in his home race, the second best local rider.

His second place in the road race at the Swiss Championships also deserves a mention. In Steinmaur he had to admit defeat against Danilo Wyss (BMC) in a two-rider sprint which also left him frustrated: "They say that the runner-up is the first loser."

In the coming season, Reichenbach will try his luck in France to try his luck because he will leave IAM after two years and join the FDJ team where he will be united with his compatriot Steve Morabito.

"I want to be an important domestique for Thibaut Pinot in the high mountains at the big races. I'm sure that I will learn a lot as luxurey domestique in the mountains, mainly because I will share my role with Steve Morabito,” Reichenbach announced.