Cycling Pro Road & Mtb

BMC Racing Team leaves Camp as solid group

Details

Parent Category: Cycling Pro Road & Mtb

Category: News 2010

Published on Wednesday, 03 February 2010 11:44

Written by Marcella Crisanti

The BMC Racing Team's training camp in California produced something even more important than two solid weeks of riding to prepare the squad for the next nine months of racing. BMC Racing Team Director Sportif John Lelangue said the camaraderie that was fostered among 20 riders and more than two dozen staff and managers will be just as worthwhile as the miles the riders put in from Jan. 16th to the 31st. "The most important thing we got out of camp was that this team became one block: the BMC Racing Team," he said. "Everyone knows the objectives, everyone is working well together and everyone became friends like they had known each other for years."

Trying Out New Equipment

Often spending up to six hours on their BMC bicycles each day, the riders practiced sprints, lead-outs and team time trialing during training rides along the California coastline. The camp also provided them the opportunity to learn about the team's sponsors and try out new equipment from Easton, new helmets from Bell and sunglasses from Oakley, and new nutritional products from First Endurance. The team's new racing apparel from Hincapie Sportswear was also successfully put to the test in the first week due to extremely rainy weather in the Santa Rosa area.

Objectives Achieved

BMC Racing Team President Jim Ochowicz personally oversaw the camp and even joined the team several times on training rides. He said he was encouraged by what he saw during the two weeks. "Seeing all the guys working together and watching the chemistry develop on and off the bikes was pretty exciting and we achieved what we set out to do," he said. Assistant Director Sportif Mike Sayers was instrumental in planning out each day's objectives and keeping the team's mindset on the task at hand.

Getting To Know Everyone

American John Murphy, who is beginning his fourth season as a professional, said the BMC Racing Team camp took training to the next level. The days were long, he said, but also extremely productive. "We definitely saw the extreme amount of stuff we could fit into one day," he said. "But I had a good time and everyone got to know everyone else so it was really good."