Cycling: We're almost halfway through our WorldTour team checks. Today we take a look at the Swiss team IAM Cycling, which made it into the WorldTour last season and would like to pass on the red lantern in 2016.
IAM Cycling overview
Last season, the IAM Cycling team, which was only founded in Switzerland in 2013, ventured into the WorldTour. The premiere in the highest license class did not go quite as planned - in the WorldTour ranking the racing team ended up in last place with only 14 victories. However, there has also been a learning curve from the riders and the minds behind them throughout the season, so it wouldn't be too surprising if IAM Cycling found themselves higher up the team rankings in 2016.
Looking at the results of the season, it's striking that the total of 14 wins is spread across nine riders - if you look at that in a positive light, you could say that IAM has a wide range of riders under contract who on a good day can compete for can ensure a win. However, one could also recognize a lack of team strategy or a missing top performer. An experienced, strong driver, on which the numerous young professionals in the ranks of the Swiss team can stand up. The 36-year-old Frenchman Sylvain Chavanel was most likely to do justice to this role, but the year was quite disappointing for the old master - his contract is expiring and he will join Europcar's successor Direct Energie in the coming season.
A ray of hope was undoubtedly the performance of Matthias Frank. The 29-year-old Swiss rider finished a more than respectable eighth place overall in the Tour de France and has consistently found himself in the top 20 of various stage races – 12th in the Tour de Romandie, for example. However, the Swiss could fall victim to the course correction that the team is about to face, as has been read between the lines time and time again over the past few weeks. Accordingly, in 2016 they want to concentrate fully on day and stage victories. With Heinrich Haussler and Matthias Brändle you would have the right drivers for such successes - unfortunately they still owed the proof in 2015.
IAM Cycling - Transfers
Departures: Sylvain Chavanel (Direct Energie), Thomas Degand (Wanty-Groupe Gobert), Jerome Pineau (Retires), Sébastien Reichenbach (FDJ)
Additions: Leigh Howard (Orica-GreenEdge), Vegard Stake Laengen (Joker), Oliver Naesen (Topsport Vlaanderen-Baloise), Oliver Zaugg (Tinkoff-Saxo)
IAM Cycling – team bikes and equipment
team bike: As it has been since its inception, IAM Cycling will continue to rely on Scott bikes in 2016. While the Scott Addict will be with the pros most of the time, we're guaranteed to see the aero model Scott Foil at a race or two. Individual and team time trials, on the other hand, are what the Scott Plasma time trials machine is all about.
NEW JERSEY but same style! #white #I am #vogliounbottodilike #jersey #wheelie #sport @IAM_Cycling @CuoreofSwiss pic.twitter.com/urvHSXaFea
— Matteo Pelucchi (@Pelucchi_Matteo) 13 December 2015
components: When it comes to the components, the Swiss team relies on the tried and tested: The drive and gears come from Shimano, while the decision was made to use quality work from home, namely the traditional manufacturer DT Swiss, for the wheels.
disc brakes: Like many other WorldTour teams, IAM Cycling faces the 'problem' for 2016 that, thanks to Shimano, you have easy access to the latest disc brakes for road bikes and DT Swiss also has corresponding wheels in its range, but there is no suitable frame for assembly. Although Scott also has the endurance model Solace as a disc version, the geometry of the bike is probably a bit too sporty even for races like Roubaix. So our tip: In 2016, IAM Cycling will only be on the road with rim brakes.