Ambitious BMC Racing Team training camp underway in Spain

The BMC Racing Team is targeting ambitious goals and breaking new ground in its first pre-season training camp of the 2014 season.

Former BMC Racing Team rider Marco Pinotti – seen here at left, speaking with Steve Cummings – is now part of the team's training staff. (Photo by Sean Weide, BMC Racing Team.) — Former BMC Racing Team rider Marco Pinotti – seen here at left, speaking with Steve Cummings – is now part of the team’s training staff. (Photo by Sean Weide, BMC Racing Team.)

Busy Agenda
BMC Racing Team Sporting Manager Allan Peiper said one aspect of the week-long camp in Spain is creating cohesion among the nearly 100 riders, managers and staff that comprise the organization. “Everyone must know exactly what is expected of them,” Peiper said. “This is a critical year for the BMC Racing Team. We have already said we want to win more races than we did this year when we won 30, which was a team record. So establishing clear communication and direction to achieve those goals are two big elements we are working on.” In addition to daily training rides, the 21 riders at camp are undergoing a battery of medical tests, participating in group sessions of core workouts and yoga, and receiving hands-on instruction from sponsors and partners.

Past world road champions Philippe Gilbert (left) and Thor Hushovd (center) get assistance from soigneurs like Stefano Rubino before the day's training ride. (Photo by Sean Weide, BMC Racing Team.) — Past world road champions Philippe Gilbert (left) and Thor Hushovd (center) get assistance from soigneurs like Stefano Rubino before the day’s training ride. (Photo by Sean Weide, BMC Racing Team.)

Staff Bonding
New to the training camp activities this year was a bonding and team-building experience for BMC Racing Team staff. Mechanics, soigneurs, service course personnel and the sport directors mixed departmental meetings last week with afternoon activities that included golf, tennis, hikes and go-karting. “In an organization that’s as big as ours, it’s not just the riders who create the winning environment. It is the staff as well,” BMC Racing Team President/General Manager Jim Ochowicz said. “So having them on the same page and preparing as well for the new season is an important event for us. Without that, we can’t do our job in the races.” The BMC Racing Team’s 2014 race calendar, which counts more than 270 individual races on its program, gets underway next month. “We have set a new standard for where we want to be next year,” Ochowicz said. “Winning is the magic word and we are preparing for that here in December.”