Altitude camp in Val di Fassa: the perfect preparation for the Tour de France Femmes

Altitude camp in Val di Fassa: the perfect preparation for the Tour de France Femmes

AG Insurance - Soudal travelled to Val di Fassa in the Italian Dolomites this summer to put the finishing touches on their preparation for the biggest goal of the season: the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.

In the heart of the Dolomites, surrounded by the spectacular UNESCO World Heritage mountains, the team found a training environment that offered everything they needed: long climbs above 2000 metres, tough elevation gain, and a mix of flatter terrain around 1000 metres. The perfect combination to prepare both our climbers and sprinters for the eight demanding stages waiting in France.

The squad stayed at Hotel Cristallo in Passo San Pellegrino, where all the facilities were in place to train hard and recover well. From tailor-made meals developed in consultation with our nutritionist, to a wellness centre that allowed the riders to relax after long days on the bike.

“Val di Fassa is a perfect training base for us,” said coach Martijn Kusters. “The altitude and the varied terrain give us the opportunity to specifically work on condition and efforts that are comparable to what the riders will face in the Tour. We laid the foundations here for one of the most important moments of our season.”

That foundation proved strong: the team delivered an impressive collective performance at the Tour de France Femmes. With a stage victory, four days in the yellow jersey, a second place in the opening stage, several top results in the sprints, and a strong ride on the mythical Col de la Madeleine, the team showed that the preparation in Val di Fassa paid off. The altitude camp was more than just a training block – it became the key to one of the most memorable chapters in the history of AG Insurance – Soudal.