The preparations for the first season under our new name TEAM GREEN'N FIT run at full speed. After the very successful team presentation, a training camp was on the program for a large part of the team. While most team members favored the good old Balearic classic, isolated black and green jerseys are said to have been spotted in Croatia, Andalusia and the Canary Islands.
Marion and Pascal started things off on Mallorca, each of whom set off for the sun with their home clubs shortly after the team presentation. The majority of the team then met towards the end of March at the Platja de Palma to collect the missing kilometers for the season in different occupations for about 10-14 days. Betty, Marc, Bernd, Thomas, Stefan, Dennis, Andi Lischka & Alex were there.
Since we didn't all arrive at the same time, there was no common training plan for the entire team. Instead, small groups kept coming together and taking the island under their DT Swiss wheels together.
Unfortunately, Mallorca didn't really want to live up to its reputation as a sunny island this year, so that all training groups were repeatedly slowed down by rain. Nevertheless, it was possible to train properly and nobody had to drive home with less than 1000 Mallorca kilometers in the end.
The entire team rated two longer training sessions as highlights of this year's stay. First of all Coastal Road Classic: He took us from Arenal along the coast to Palma. In Palma it was about the military mount“ Inland to Calvià, from there via Andratx directly to the coast road. According to unanimous opinion, the coastal road was again the most beautiful round that Mallorca has to offer this year. The Coffee with milk-Stop of the day we made in Banyanbufar to continue to enjoy the landscape from there to Valldemossa. Depending on whether it went up or down, sometimes more, sometimes less. The new BMC Teammachines knew how to convince at all times! All team members who enjoyed the BMCs last year again confirmed that the new model has become noticeably stiffer and that at the same time weight reduction. The way back took us back to Arenal via Sa Cabaneta.
The second real highlight this year was ours royal stage – Col de Soller, Puig Major and Sa Calobra. Three names, three mountains and lots of vertical meters. We were lucky that day that the weather cooperated in the morning and we were able to start rolling for a short time on the descent in Arenal. We took it easy over the Soller at first, but at the latest by the almost 14 kilometers up to the roof of Mallorca we all had to bite a bit and everyone drove at our own pace. The highlight of the day was the Coll dels Reis, better known as Sa Calobra. The descent down into the bay is certainly the most beautiful that Mallorca has to offer, but opinions regarding the subsequent ascent may differ slightly depending on the type of driver.
In addition to testing the actual material, the training camp also offered the opportunity to extensively test the products of our new main sponsor, Truw Arzneimittel GmbH. GREEN'N FIT in particular proved to be a welcome companion at the breakfast table. On the one hand, because the caffeine and taurine it contains has proven to be an excellent substitute for very moderate Spanish hotel coffee. On the other hand, the magnesium and B vitamins it contains are important nutritional supplements to cope with the increased demands of a training camp. The pleasant citrus taste was also significantly tastier than the hotel's instant orange juice. Various drivers added Truw Magnesium direct to GREEN'N FIT in the evening severe bend legs. The advantage of magnesium direct is the granulate form, which allows it to be taken directly without water. The taste of the preparation was also very positive here.
The bottom line is that Mallorca was worth a trip again this year. In addition to the important kilometers, we got to know each other better as a team and are now excited for the new season. Some of us have already collected the first racing kilometers at various events. With Around Cologne the first one will be available on Easter Monday German Cycling Cup-Race on the program, we'll see how GREEN'N FIT we already are.