To you and me it might still feel like the off-season, but for the pros, it’s back to the hard work and miles on the bike that it takes to be in top condition for the new season.
With the weather turning for those of us in northern Europe, the riders get the opportunity get some proper riding in during escapes to training camps in sunnier climes like southern Spain.
With that, it’s a chance for the riders to catch-up with team-mates old and new, as well as posting the odd picture and video on social media for us to enjoy as we prepare to head-out in the cold and wet.
1. Geraint Thomas shows off the Sky train out in Mallorca, with their new signings, including Michal Kwiatkowski, in tow looking like odd ones out.
Back at it, with the boys, in Mallorca pic.twitter.com/6kONnOxOLu
— Geraint Thomas (@GeraintThomas86) December 7, 2015
2. Alberto Contador turned 33 at the Tinkoff training camp, and rues the day he stopped being eligible for the white jersey
.@albertocontador rides and jokes on birthday during first day of @anfigroup training camphttps://t.co/aWCsnQP3tq
— Tinkoff (@tinkoff_team) December 6, 2015
3. Her face says yes, but here legs said no.
My legs weren't feeling this happy. 🐐 #goating pic.twitter.com/D89S4Gu26Y
— Dani King (@DaniKing1) December 6, 2015
4. There’s hard work to be done out on the training camps, with Astana putting their riders through some tests on the climbs near Calpe in southern Spain.
Test day in Calpe #Spain pic.twitter.com/NDzZmbzwTZ
— Astana Proteam (@AstanaTeam) December 3, 2015
Watch: Five easy ways to get faster
5. Joaquim Rodriguez records the start of Katusha’s sprint competition out in Spain…
Primera volata del año!Adivina como acaba!
Gana @angel_vicioso
Gana @losadin
Montonera
O lo más lógico,ganó yo
😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/nPZklQh2MK— Joaquim Rodríguez (@PuritoRodriguez) December 6, 2015
And the finish…
Me parece que no estado tan seguro en mi vida de que ganaba a estos "mediosprinters" @angel_vicioso @losadin 😏😏😏😏😏😏😏 pic.twitter.com/1bMuT9Gbic
— Joaquim Rodríguez (@PuritoRodriguez) December 6, 2015
6. Sky shave been showing off their new bikes in Mallorca, while there’s also a lot of time to kill for the riders.
#WorkHard #PlayHard. It's good to be back in Mallorca pic.twitter.com/ElHc9nZsrA
— Team Sky 🚲 (@TeamSky) December 8, 2015
7. #Thingswedidattrainingcamp – Held paper.
2nd day of training all toghether at Darfo Boario Terme, training camp @lampre_merida pic.twitter.com/n6rd8ybCk1
— Team Lampre Merida (@lampre_merida) December 2, 2015
8. It’s not just about training, but team building counts as well. Apparently, that’s achieved by jumping off tall things.
Jumping at a height of 15 metres to the rope. Day 3 of our #teambuilding with the @landmacht is kicking off.https://t.co/iTA56qa3hY
— LottoNLJumbo Cycling (@LottoJumbo_road) November 27, 2015
9. Peter Sagan aero-tucks, even on a training camp
@AnfiGroup training camp at descent position pic.twitter.com/KW5HDfDEHB
— Peter Sagan (@petosagan) December 7, 2015
10. More from Geraint Thomas now, who we couldn’t agree more with in this instance.
Guess the rider… #socksoverlegwarmersisnotcool 🙈 pic.twitter.com/DXuVpvwUtS
— Geraint Thomas (@GeraintThomas86) December 8, 2015