Cervélo TestTeam's Carlos Sastre has his gear packed and ready to go for the team training camp that begins this weekend in Portugal. The 2009 season saw Sastre unable to defend his Tour de France overall victory of the previous year, but with two stage wins and third in the overall in the Giro d'Italia, he has a fresh outlook and is ready for the season to start.
"I have everything ready, because cyclists travel light. Perhaps most of the bulges in the suitcase are my ambitions for the new season and some new challenges, " said the man from Spain.
Sastre's home in Ávila typically experiences harsh weather this time of the year, however the former Tour winner has been focused and takes advantage of time on the bike when the road permits. "When I can not go [out on the bike], I ride rollers, workout in the gym and do Pilates. I have also taken the mountain bike out and ridden," he explained. The Spaniard is used to this routine, and isn't worried about his work towards his 2010 campaign falling short. "I'm doing enough to maintain muscle tone and burn the extra weight that inadvertently accumulates at the holiday parties," he says.
Cervélo TestTeam begins their camp tomorrow in southern Portugal, and will hope to build on the incredible success they enjoyed during 2009, their first year in existence.
"We will stay there [in Portugal] for two weeks and take advantage of some focused training. We will also be fine-tuning the machinery for the first races of the season," added the 2008 Tour winner.
Sastre will begin his season on March 22 at the Volta a Catalunya. "This year I begin a little later than the last few seasons, which will allow me to get more toned for the early races."
After competing the Volta a Catalunya he will have only three races on his program: Amstel Gold Race, Liège-Bastogne-Liège and the Giro d'Italia. This year's Giro route suits Sastre well, and after his experience there in 2009, the Italian Tour will be his first big goal of the season.
"Yes, I will go to the Giro in a position to dispute it," he explained. "Last year I enjoyed racing in Italy and want to repeat the experience." Sastre is planning on taking the rest of the season as it comes, and has yet to decide his plans for the other two Grand Tours, the Tour de France and his home race the Vuelta a Espana.
"At the moment I will concentrate on the Giro. I will take it step-by-step and wait to make any decisions," he concluded.