After getting well into my new team for the first few months of the year Koga ladies was integrated, the joint training camp was the first longer event. Like some other cyclists, we also traveled to the sunny island of Mallorca.
Finally training in a pleasant 20 degrees Celsius, lots of sun and little wind - at least that's what I thought when I got on the plane in early March. The reality was of course different in the first week. The defining color was Grey. And although we were spared the rain, the strong wind made us quite struggling. I have never experienced such strong winds on Mallorca before, so training in the first week was all the more difficult for us.
In the second week the weather got better and better. Nice, one might think. However, a short but relatively severe cold forced me to change my training plan for the time being. However, I was able to train very well on the remaining days on the island. It was also nice that Melanie Wotsch, my training colleague from home, was there too. While we were still in the same team colors last year, this year she is pedaling for Stevens-Hytera.
The first half of my training camp was rather flat. Only the smaller climbs like the Randa and to Orient were on the menu. After my cold had cleared up, I ended up going to the northwest of the island more often. The Serra de Tramuntana impresses me every time with its spectacular landscape. Unfortunately, some sections were destroyed by forest fires last year.
My longest training session through the mountains featured climbs like Sa Calobra, Soller and Puig Major. Of course, a detour to the Lluc monastery was a must. Fortunately, the beautiful nature made up for the pain in my legs. The end of the training camp was the trip to the northern end of the island. From the Cap de Formentor you have the most beautiful view over the north coast of Mallorca.
In addition to the accumulated training kilometers and some peak loads, I had the opportunity to get to know some of my teammates better. For the upcoming races, the basis should also be right on a personal level. Now I'm back at home and packing my things for the season opener. Gent-Wevelgem is the first difficult race of the year on Saturday. It will surely be one It will be a challenge, but I'm looking forward to gaining classic experience in the new team outfit in Belgium.