Team Training Camp

Here at Robinson Club Cala Serena on Mallorca, Team RadioShack is basically isolated from anything nearby in the way of shops or something to do.  The club itself is an all-inclusive property so there is plenty to do around the clock for the predominantly German guests:  various sports, the spa, poolside reclining or a walk on the beach are all viable options.  The Team has no real concern along these lines since our day is focused on training for the riders and regular work for the rest of us.  But Wednesday offered up a little day away for Team Director Viatcheslav Ekimov, logistics manager Barbara Van Maeldergem and me.  The presenters of the XX Challenge Ciclista a Mallorca hosted a reception in the historic section of Palma just across from the harbor so the three of us jumped in the car and headed to the city.

No alarm clocks yesterday morning, or mandatory wake-up calls, we should say. The riders enjoyed a leisurely start to the day, no designated breakfast time. Rest days start with a "come one or come all" attitude when gathering around the breakfast table. However, most of the guys still like somewhat of a structure to their day, whether wheels-down is dictated by the directors or not.

It is about three and half hours into the five-hour training ride. Sam Bewley has launched himself off the front of the pack. Tiago Machado, sitting in the group, is looking left and right, instinctually reacting to the Kiwi’s attack. There’s hunger in his eyes and a quick word is exchanged with Manuel Cardosa. His tone is aggressive, yet playful at the same time. Chris Horner's face features the infamous “grin,” often mistaken for a happy smile, but in reality means one thing: he’s pushing his physical limits.

Team RadioShack is now halfway through camp and new arrivees are due this evening.  The riders that took part in the Santos Tour Down Under were “excused” from the first part of camp since they had: a) already done extensive racing and their legs were already in top shape, and b) had traveled from Australia back to Europe and needed some personal time to adjust to the current time zone and catch up with family.  But they are rolling in tonight and what is already a lively group at dinner time will most certainly get a little more lively with the new recruits.  We’ve mentioned before that Levi Leipheimer has been ill but we’re happy to report he is improving, but also missing is our young Russian rider Ivan Rovny who had some visa delays that will keep him away until Thursday.  It seems that every day some people arrive and some depart as far as staff and sponsor representatives go, making for dynamic interactions around the dining table.  Our Team Manager Johan Bruyneel will arrive tomorrow evening and it will be great to see him again.   I think the last time for me was May for the Amgen Tour of California, which was quite a long time ago now.

Rising and with the sun shining, riders came down for breakfast around 8:30am. American Matthew Busche was the first to arrive at Big Rig (the mechanic’s headquarters throughout the week).  Locked and loaded with HoneyStinger, he’s been the first rider ready to go for two days in a row. Alternatively, Jani Brajkovic has been the last rider to roll out for the day’s ride, but for fair reasons. Jani is a technical man of details, constantly and carefully monitoring his bike measurements each morning – rightfully earning him the nickname “Mr. Millimeter.”

For the first day on the bike, we enjoyed the luxury of sleeping “in.” Breakfast wasn’t served until 9:00am, as a few stranglers arrived late in the night, while others continued their two-day battle with jetlag. Wheels down at 10:00am in Mallorca is Jesse Sergent and Sam Bewley’s equivalent of riding at 9:00pm. Ouch…but luckily these pro’s have a very set routine they go through to balance jetlag after years of practice.

The second full day of training camp for Team RadioShack is underway today with the majority of the riders finally in-house for a week of solid work on the bike.  Still MIA are the majority of the riders who rode in the Santos Tour Down Under as well as Levi Leipheimer.  Most of the TdU team will arrive in a few days  but Levi is sick and won’t be here at all this year.  Otherwise it’s a full-court press for the riders of The Shack who have headed out for their second team ride today:  six hours for the European riders, but only four for the Americans and New Zealander who traveled so far to get here.  Team Director Alain Gallopin warned the latter group to take it easy while they adjust to the European time zone and are sure to suffer some jet lag.  He advised them to not over train in the first few days at camp but to slowly adjust before going too hard on the bike.

The riders arrived yesterday as planned, however internet was down after a winter storm took out reception. So, our update from camp is belated but well worth the wait! All has cleared - the riders and staff are connected again bringing you daily updates from Mallorca.

Coming via planes, trains and automobiles, Team RadioShack riders are slowly arriving at training camp in Mallorca, Spain. Here's a quick shot of birthday boy, Bjorn Selander. Bjorn turns 23 today and it looks like he has a lot of new gear to help him celebrate (and train) in style.

Members of Team RadioShack are currently traveling near and far, set to arrive in Mallorca, Spain Friday. However, a small group of staffers have been hard at work for the last two days. Actually….they have been hard at work for the last nine months developing clothing for Team RadioShack. From design to procurement to production to shipping, we’ve finally arrived at the final phase – allotment.