December 9, 2007 – Yesterday, I flew from Mallorca back home to our apartment in Girona. After a chaotic month in Boulder and Toronto it was nice to get back to Spain last week and get settled in one country for the winter. Traveling and visiting friends is enjoyable but with two kids along it isn’t as easy and simple as it used to be. On every level it has been a undulating year of high and lows, stress and smiles.

After the recent news that T-Mobile was no longer our team’s title sponsor none of us knew exactly what to expect at this past week’s training camp in Mallorca. We had faith in the management that everything was continuing on as planned but we had no idea what would change logistically, aesthetically and structurally within the team.

The camp was planned months ago as a springboard towards the new season where riders from colder northern European climates can train with teammates in some warm weather, with the support of the team staff. It is also a social and logistical camp where we get to know the new recruits on a more personal level and we can begin sketching out our training programs and race plans for the coming season.

Despite the bad news that the sponsor had left the team was surprisingly upbeat, cohesive and motivated. We knew there would be some transitional hiccups, but actually, everybody remained focused and motivated. Darcy Norman, our coach for off-the-bike core work training and physiotherapy work, was at the camp to help us out and get us on the right track before the season. Each morning after breakfast we would meet up for a stretching/workout session (picture football players warming up on the field before the game) before heading out on our bikes. We rode between 3-5 hours a day with some structured workouts (and the required winter coffee shop stop). In the afternoons we had pillar strength session which is essentially about an hour of core/gym work that is intense and quite hard. In the evenings we had meetings to talk about the training, our fitness, nutrition and the future. The days were full, but also productive.

I spent one day on the velodrome in Palma trying to sort out my position on the time trial bike. Last year, I managed to get in an aerodynamic position, after being tested at the LA track, but in that position never felt comfortable in longer time trials as I was simply too low and squished into the position. I have raised my stem 3cm and amazingly didn’t lose any aerodynamics – as my back was flattened out – and I’m far more comfortable. I am keen to try it out in a race situation.

In the next month I will be home in Girona. The season will begin at our first camp in California at the beginning of February.