While cycling can be a fun and relaxing activity for most of us, for competitive cyclists leisure is far from a priority. These are the cyclists who want to win. There have been events taking place all around the world since January, but races such as Tour of Qatar, Tour of Oman, Ruta del Sol and Tour du Haut-Var are considered preparation races by those whose season goals are the spring classics or the summer grand tours. All the cycling media are speculating who will and who will not take part.
Reigning champion Vincenzo Nibali has expressed his desire to return to the Tour, instead of riding the Giro. Last week his Astana Cycling Team released a short video captured while reconnaissance of the tour roads including the famous cobbles of northern France.
(click on the picture to play the video)
To get to the best condition Nibali tries to ride at high altitude training camps as much as possible. In June it can be very likely to spot him on the roads of Tenerife with his Tour de France compatriots. So watch out on the mountain roads while being on your early spring holidays!
Chris Froome, one of the strongest climbers in the pro peloton, also named Le Tour as his priority goal for the 2015 season. ”I enjoyed my time off, and now I am concentrating on preparing myself mentally and physically for the season ahead,” the SkyTeam member wrote on his official site at the beginning of the year. But the holiday’s over.
The 29 year old spent some time in warm climates like Tasmania or his home country of South Africa. He managed some decent miles on the bike to be ready for Ruta del Sol, the first stage race of the season which was held in February close to Seville in Spain. The hard work’s paid off and Chris became the 61st overall winner of this race.
Tinkoff-Saxo team leader Alberto Contador is also expected to focus on the Tour de France in 2015. He said he’s lost nearly two kilograms after three weeks of intense training on the Spanish Canary islands. Now he’s the only one of the big four classification riders who will be racing the Giro d’Italia. He has revealed one more important fact about his future. In march he confirmed he will retire after his team contract expires by the end of the 2016 season. Sad news for fans.
Are you already looking forward to this years Tour de France? Tell us what you love the most about it in the comments below.
