Castelli’s futuristic BodyPaint Bibshort and Cervélo TestTeam’s all-time favorite seatpad (ProgettoX2) were introduced to the global media and partners last week in Mallorca, Spain. Product introductions took place along with several group rides with the new SRAM-equipped Apex groupset.
The Media Performance Camp 2010 was held near the beautiful coastline of Alcudia, a popular place for many cyclist to go riding during the spring months. Although, Mother Nature decided to have her way by sending us dark clouds and windy conditions, the ride camp was a full four days of 2010 product overview, riding, tech seminars and most importantly, good times!
Some 16+ media guests and five pro riders including Team Saxo Bank pros, and Madison World Champions, Michael Morkov and Alex Rassmussen, along with EU Long Distance Triathlon champion Virginia Berasategui, as well as Milram pro and Athens gold medalist (team pursuit) Luke Roberts.
Enjoy the images!
For more information: www.theroaddiaries.com
Haussler was again second in the sprint, while new teammate and former track sprint world champion Theo Bos was fourth behind JJ Haedo (Saxo Bank).
“We went close but it was crazy out there,” Haussler said after the stage. “It’s always like that when the stage is so easy, there’s no selection and everyone thinks they’re a sprint and wants to get in there amongst it all. It was pretty dangerous.”
Francesco Chicchi (Liquigas-Doimo) was impressive in the tailwind sprint as he came off Bos’ wheel with 300 metres to go. Yet Haussler was convinced he could have won if he’d been on his teammate’s back wheel and able to benefit from Bos’ spectacular acceleration. “Theo Bos was going to lead me out but I had to came back from 15th position and so couldn’t get on his wheel before he accelerated,” he said. “Roger (Hammond) shouted at him to go and he went, but he didn’t know I wasn’t there. Fortunately we still got second and fourth, or whatever but the plan didn’t work out as we’d hoped.”
Haussler, and the Cervélo TestTeam will have chance of a stage victory on Thursday at the end of stage five from Lusail to Madinat al Shamal over a distance of 142km.
Stage 4 : The Pearl - Al Khor Corniche (146.5 km)
1. Francesco Chicchi (Ita) Liquigas-Doimo
2. Heinrich Haussler (Ger) Cervélo TestTeam
3. Juan Jose Haedo (Arg) Saxo Bank
4. Theo Bos (Ned) Cervélo TestTeam
5. Roger Kluge (Ger) Milram
Photo: © TDWsport.com
The Cervélo team leader is preparing intensely despite the harsh wintery conditions in Ávila.
For Carlos Sastre the cold is no reason for staying at home. Nor the rain. Nor the snow. “We are used to going out training in these temperatures, although the winter this year is particularly harsh. But all the same, the hams will cure well in these temperatures and I hope that they will also be good for my legs”, said the Cervélo TestTeam leader.
“I am going out on four-hour rides and some days I’m doing six hours with temperatures that at times reach below zero. I also have increasingly less fat to protect me from the cold. Luckily, the clothes we use protect us quite well and keep the body heat inside”, he added.
One of the favorite pieces is the highly breathable and anatomic Windstopper jacket. The Windstopper® Corsa fabric protect’s the rider with 100% wind protection, effective protection against rain, and breathability that is up to 10 times higher than competing windproof fabrics. Other cool features are the high collar and extra long sleeves, plus the YKK Vislon® zipper which makes it easy to open and close the jacket with a gloved hand.
Brett Lancaster : Back from a cold and very windy ride, the sun was out and 5 degrees. New Castelli windstopper winter jacket was awesome!
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Kirsten Wild snatches overall victory at the Ladies Tour of Qatar, and provides Cervélo TestTeam with their first victory in 2010.
Cervélo TestTeam sprinter Kirsten Wild won the last stage of the Tour of Qatar today, snatching overall victory from Giorgia Bronzini (Italy) by four seconds to take a second consecutive win in the short stage race in the Persian Gulf.
“It was a pretty exciting day today,” said Kirsten Wild. “We started with 4 seconds behind leader Bronzini and I was able to close that gap by 1 second in the intermediate sprints. Then I knew that it all depended on the last sprint. My teammates did an incredible good job in the final. They brought me into the perfect position and I was able to win the sprint.”
“This was a great team effort and a perfect start for the 2010 season. I came through the winter well and with this team we are really confident about the season ahead. Tomorrow we travel to Portugal to prepare ourselves for the classics season that begin on February 28 with the Omloop het Nieuwsblad.”
More information: Cervélo TestTeam Photo: © TDWsport.com
Both the men and women of Cervélo TestTeam officially begin racing this week. The men’s team will start with the French five-day stage race Étoile de Bessèges. The women’s team will start the season with the Ladies Tour of Qatar, now in its second edition.
Men’s Team
The Étoile de Bessèges, held annually in southern France, around Bessèges, will represent the official start of the Cervélo TestTeam season. Please note that Thor Hushovd, who was to start his season with this race, is ill and will not be competing as planned.
“We are looking forward to starting in Bessèges, as it will be the first race for our team in 2010,” said Sports Director Alex Sans Vega. “It will give us the opportunity to check our fitness and strength against the other teams, as some of them have already started their season in the Tour Down Under or G.P. Marseillaise. The Étoile de Bessèges is a good race for our riders. It will help them in their preparations, but we will also try to get some results-all our riders will have the freedom to show themselves at their best at the start of the season.”
The team is also returning to the Middle East after last year’s success with the stage win of Roger Hammond (GBR) and with six riders placed in the top 10. Heinrich Haussler (GER) (second overall last year) and Hammond (third overall last year) will lead the team again. Sports Director Jens Zemke has good memories of the race from last year. “It will be very difficult to repeat the excellent result of our first showdown one year ago,” he said. “We have two new riders in our Qatar squad, Theo Bos (NED) and Davide Appollonio (ITA); the others are all Qatar experienced. We also want to test our new components and bikes. This race is another big step forward. Our main goal is to prepare our team for a successful spring campaign.”
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