Going into the Vuelta a Espana, IAM made it clear that they would try to win the mountains jersey with Johann Tschopp. Today the Swiss opened his account when he scored his first points and finished 4th on a tough stage 7.

IAM Cycling had a rather special day at the Tour of Spain.  Johann Tschopp joined the day’s strong breakaway and emerged as one of the main animators of the stage.  Along with three other riders, Tschopp was off the front for more than 130 kilometers and for his efforts came away with a superb 4th place, 1’35” behind the eventual winner, Alessandro De Marchi (Cannondale). 

On the flip side, Aleksejs Saramotins finished his course at the Alcala da Real hospital after having had a heavy crash on a descent 50 kilometers into the stage.  After examinations, the Latvian rider was diagnosed as having suffered a severe contusion on his right elbow as well as extensive abrasions.  
 
On Friday’s stage, which followed a hard summit finish, Johann Tschopp regained all his best sensations. 

“I am really happy with the day and my 4th place.  I already eyed this stage even though it was difficult to know beforehand how I would feel since the heat is so intense from the start.  We broke away from the group on the first climb, and with riders like Hesjedal and De Marchi as company, I really had to hang on during the false-flats. 

"I gave my maximum and I managed to score some points for the king of the mountains.  This will maybe help me if I recover well and find some opportunities in the second and third weeks of racing.  Certainly it has given me a lot of confidence for the rest of the race.”   
 
Marcello Albasini, the directeur sportif along with Chiesa, praised Johann Tschopp’s efforts. 

“It was a difficult stage with the heat and continual climbing.  We asked Johann to join a break if at all possible in the meeting this morning.  He made it happen and rode really well considering the strength of the riders in the group.

"I even think that Johann may have held onto 2nd place for the stage if Hesjedal hadn’t come back after falling, thanks to the medical car.  But we are very happy with this 4th place.  Johann proved himself to have the potential to be among the best when the road turns upward.”