If there is something every cyclist can dream of, it is sharing a ride and a hotel with one of their idols. If those idols are named Gilbert or Alaphilippe, the experience is even more special. But if, in addition, you get to ride with almost the entire Quick Step team and have exclusive access to their training camp hotel, the adventure becomes a true privilege.
That was exactly what we experienced at Team Ciclored when Quick Step invited us to their Training Camp on the Costa Blanca. During the month of January, we had the opportunity to see firsthand how they prepare for the season, how they train on their road bikes, and what sacrifices they have to make to perform at their best in a professional peloton.
In addition to sharing training sessions on the spectacular roads of the region, we were also able to experience the demands of their physical and technical preparation. And not only that: the Costa Blanca, with its privileged climate and variety of routes, is an ideal destination not only for road cycling enthusiasts, but also for those who enjoy mountain bikes. The nearby mountains offer incredible MTB trails, making it a perfect place for any type of cyclist.
But let's go step by step. What is a training day really like in a professional team?
The first challenge of the day is breakfast
In the morning, the first thing is to resist the free breakfast buffet. A difficult task considering there were about a hundred different types of food. And seeing how the professionals did it without a look of resignation. It's easy to get carried away by the availability of so much food and gain weight even though you train 3 or 4 hours a day. It's not easy living from hotel to hotel when you need to watch your diet to stay at your ideal weight. I, like any good globero (amateur cyclist), ended up giving in to one too many croissants.
Exercises before the first coffee
For most professional cyclists, training begins before breakfast, doing stretching sets and exercises. Years ago, there were exercises that were not considered for cycling training. Today, however, they are the foundation for preventing overuse injuries. We're talking about working the core and doing planks, squats, and stretches. After this first training routine and breakfast, at 10 a.m. it's time to get on the bike. Before that, it has been checked by the mechanics. At the Quick Step camp, there are up to half a dozen of them who take care of last-minute adjustments before each ride.
During training camps, cyclists spend their afternoons between massage sessions and technical talks to keep learning
The Quick Step bikes are Specialized and it's striking how clean they are, arranged to the millimeter by the mechanics team. On the days we were there, the team was doing test sessions, and each cyclist had three bike models: the ultralight ones for high mountain stages, the aero for flat routes, and the time trial bikes for special training days with the clock.
On the wheel with the professionals
Quick Step has 27 riders on its roster this season. At the training camp we attended, the 6 who were competing in the Tour Down Under in Australia—including Enric Mas—were absent, as well as the 3 South Americans who were preparing for the Vuelta a San Juan, plus the 4 who were doing the Six Days in Holland. Despite these absences, the roster of professional cyclists present at the camp was not bad at all for a cycling geek like me. You can take pictures with Gilbert and Alaphilippe or chat with Jungels and Gaviria with complete ease. About to start the training session. With this grupetta of great riders, plus Serry, Vakoc, Keisse, De Clerq, Lampaert, Senechal, Martinelli, and company, it was hard to pull the group. So the best thing was to stay on the wheel and enjoy a steady pace.
Massages and continuous learning
After seeing how hard it is to keep up with cyclists at this level, it's time to eat to recover while the mechanics keep adjusting the team's bikes. That day there was a presentation session with the press, but that's not the usual thing during Quick Step's training days. Normally, the afternoons at a training camp are divided into massage sessions (the team had brought up to 4 masseurs), equipment tests, and talks about biomechanics and data. A very important part of a cyclist's training is to learn, not just to pedal.
Tuvalum Team
