09 February 2013
IAM Cycling
Hello Marcello, you just finished a week of training in the south of France, what are these camps exactly and what is their objective?
Hi, well, these camps are good for many reasons: first of all, all our riders are not all the time on races, it is a way to simply keep them fit and have them to work together during these periods. Of course it also shows them we’re not forgetting them, that we are always concerned by how they feel and where they stand in their personal work. There is also a very practical reason at this time of the year – as you probably know we have many swiss riders in the team and there’s too much snow right now to train in their hometowns! On that level, it was a very good choice to plan a camp last week.
Will you have camps like this during the entire season?
Well, not really, it will depend on the general planning and on which races we are invited too. The next one should be in Tuscany during Paris-Nice. There too not all the riders will be lined up and it will give us an opportunity to work with the other guys.
How are these training sessions organised?
That’s really my role in the team – of course I’m a Directeur Sportif and I’ll be managing the team on races – but my experience and background in training especially young riders were some of the reasons Michel Thétaz and Serge Beucherie called me at IAM cycling.
We of course have some special programs for some riders but most of the time the trainings are meant to fulfill the basic “ground” work for the season. I try to keep a balance between quality and quantity – a regular training week is usually built around daily rides of 4 or 5 hours – with intervals for example and other specific exercises – and a longer one of at least 6 hours. The day usually starts with short pre breakfast roller sessions of 20-30 minutes, to make sure everyone is really awake! And ends with the usual massage, a good meal and a good night of sleep.
Talking about young riders, who was on the camp last week?
I had with me 3 of our neo pros – Sébastien Reichenbach, Patrick Schelling, Marcel Aregger – and more experienced but still young riders Alex Pliuschin and Marcel Wyss. I knew most of them from Switzerland and it’s always good to spend some time with them.
Were you happy with their work?
Yes, I think we’re building a very strong team and the guys are very motivated. We achieved a good load of work this week, about 30 hours on the saddle. For some of them joining a pro team is a real step and my role is also to make them realise where they are now. I know they will be a bit tired next week but this is what it takes to reach the top level.
We had the opportunity to train on some of the routes of the Tour du Haut-Var last week and I planned some just little shorter distance rides then the ones of the race stages. After about 170 kilometers of those typical up-and-down roads I could tell some of the guys were a bit short – I monitor all the riders through the SRM system – it was a good way to make them sensitive to the fact that on the proper race they’ll have to do even more everyday! But once again, I’m very satisfied with the work they produced on this camp, we are getting there for sure.
Another positive point of these team “get togethers” is the team spirit. Riders are different when it comes to training: some of them like to train at home – even if this is more true for older riders who have families and a certain comfort at home – and other ones really love to train with teammates. It’s a fact, when you’re riding as a team, your performances are enhanced, there’s no “I’m turning around” because you’re tired or less motivated, you just do what the group does.. or what I decide I should say!
Is the camp over now? What are you plans for the upcoming weeks?
No, we still have a 160 kilometers ride today and then we’ll head back home. I’ll continue the following of the team’s riders performances via the SRM system and start to look already for our next training opportunities. Then will come the regular program with the Tour du Haut-Var, the GP Lugano, Camaiore, Lazio, Strade Bianche the season is only starting and I won’t have time to get bored. My only concern is to know if my wife will still recognise me after all these travels! No, just kidding, she’s been of great support during my career and she’s used to it too!
Thanks Marcello! Have a great day and all the best for the season!
Thank you, next time we’ll talk about the races and hopefully the podiums!
