AG Insurance - Soudal U23 trains in Altea with a focus on the new season

The U23 team of AG Insurance - Soudal is currently on a training camp in Altea, Spain, where sports director Dani Christmas is working with the riders on both their physical and tactical development. With 11 riders present, the focus is on team development, technique, and tactical awareness, both on and off the bike.

Main objective – Team building and collaboration

One of the primary goals of this training camp is to create a strong and united team. "We want to bring as many riders together as possible so they can really get to know each other, both on and off the bike," says Dani Christmas. Although Luca Vierstraete and Marith Vanhove are unable to join due to their participation in the European Track Championships, the rest of the team is working hard to build a strong team dynamic.

To support this, the camp started with team-building activities, and even during training, the focus remains on collaboration and communication. "We are working on how the riders function best as a group, for example, when taking bottles from the team car or riding in an echelon," Dani explains.

More than training: educational workshops for well-rounded development

In addition to the intensive training sessions, the riders attend a workshop every evening to help them grow as athletes. The program includes sessions on nutrition, bike mechanics, and sleep coaching, as well as important topics such as general health and menstrual cycles. Additionally, there is a strong focus on race tactics and communication, essential skills for performing at the highest level.

"It’s not just about physical performance," Dani explains. "We want to provide the riders with well-rounded development and support them in every aspect of their growth as cyclists."

Preparation for the season and first races

Although this camp is not specifically aimed at certain races, the riders are following a varied program to prepare them for the competitive spring season. "We will start in Belgium with Hageland, but we are also combining this with national-level races so that the riders can get used to different levels of competition," Dani says. "In UCI races, the level is much higher, so we manage expectations and focus on the race process rather than just the results."

By carefully selecting races, the riders get the opportunity to gain experience in different race conditions. "We want them to develop as complete cyclists," Dani adds.

A talented team with a strong future

With a promising group of riders, Dani looks ahead to the upcoming season with confidence:
"We have a really talented group. This training camp not only helps them prepare for their first races but also strengthens them as a team. Step by step, we continue to build, and I’m really excited to see their development unfold."