For most pros, the off-season is a distant memory, and they are putting in base miles to prepare for the next season.
Riley Pickrell, who rode for the ProTeam Israel – Premier Tech after three seasons with its younger sibling, the Conti squad Israel Cycling Academy, is putting in the work near Girona. The Victoria native had a fine 2024, including his first pro win at the Sibiu Cycling Tour.
Training camps serve multiple purposes for pros. Not only are they a time to log base miles, but they’re also when riders test new bikes, dial in shoes and pedals, and receive their stash of new kit. For cyclists transferring from other teams, it’s a time to get to know their new teammates.
Some teams also hold informative sessions on nutrition, psychology, or strategy for the upcoming year. Individuals may meet with coaches and managers to lay out their program of races. Derek Gee, for example, Pickrell’s teammate, announced on Tuesday that he will be targeting the Giro d’Italia in 2025.
Pickrell posted a video of a standard day at camp. He wakes up at 7:45 a.m. and leaves his room 15 minutes later. Breakfast follows at 8:05 a.m.
By 9:30 a.m., riders head to a quick activation session. Activation exercises may include dynamic stretching, but there’s more to it than that. The purpose of activation exercises is to stimulate the target muscles before they head out on their ride.
Then they’re off. They get their cleats on at 10 a.m., grab some bottles and snacks, and hit the road. On Tuesday, Pickrell went out for a 150-km ride, which took him just over 4 hours.
After that, it’s a late lunch before relaxing in his room. Some pre-dinner snacks follow before dinner itself, and just before 8 p.m., a nice supper.
Bedtime follows, before they do it all over again the next day.
Check out a typical day below.
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