Saxo Bank's Luxembourg talks about Saxo Bank's first training camp and the year ahead
The Schlecks and Kim Kirchen aren't the only top level Luxembourg professionals. 26 year old, Laurent Didier, made his debut at the ProTour level in 2010 with Saxo Bank and managed a solid go of it.
The young rider, who graduated with a degree in engineering, finished 33rd in his first career Grand Tour last season, the Giro d'Italia. He also managed a string of solid, but not spectacular results: 16th at the Trofeo Magalluf at the Tour of Mallorca, 14th at the Tour du Haut Var, 12th at the Hel van het Mergellan, and 21st in his home tour, the Tour de Luxembourg.
The rider's possibilities within the Saxo Bank outfit should open up considerably in 2011 though. The departure of a large chunk of the team as well as the uncertain future of Alberto Contador could give him the chance to shine in a more open team situation.
With a lot of questions swirling around the team, the Saxo Bank squad gathered for the first time ahed of the 2011 season over the past two weeks. The recent Saxo Bank/SunGard training camp on the Atlantic island of Fuerteventura was a major departure from the infamous boot camps of years gone by.
"We spent the first three days surfing, windsurfing, and doing circus activities like juggling. It was nice to be outside in the good weather. We also had meetings where the values of the team were told to us," said the Luxembourger to wort.lu.
Didier admits that things aren't quite the same on the team, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. New riders, new staff, new chances.
"A lot has changed. There are not only new riders in the team, but also new support staff. From the beginning, there was already a good mood though. During the first week, I shared a room with the Ukrainian, Volodomyr Gustov, then the next week with the Spaniard, Daniel Navarro."
The common language within the Saxo Bank team is English, not something that Didier struggles with, but something that proved to be a difficulty for some of the new Spanish signings outside of Alberto Contador. Dictionaries were a common accessory for Contador's lieutenants.
"For the Spanish riders, it was more difficult, because apart from Alberto Contador, they do not speak good English, so they need to learn."
As for Contador - Didier was amazed at the circus that follows the five-time Grand Tour winner.
"It's unbelievable the media uproar around him. While we were out training, photographers would sometimes literally jump into the street to take a picture. He never seemed to be bothered by it though."
The rider, whose father and grandfather both won stages of the Tour de France and the Giro d'Italia, was impressed by the fitness of the new Spanish signings. He attributed it to an earlier start to training over most of the other riders though.
"The Spanish riders ended their seasons earlier, and thus started training sooner. It was especially apparent on the climbs that they're are currently in better condition."
Didier will start his season on the 2nd of February in Mallorca. After that, he'll do Paris-Nice and the Ardennes Classics: the Amstel Gold Race (April 17), Fleche Wallonne (April 20), and Liege-Bastogne-Liege (April 24). After that, the rider will get ready for his second Giro d'Italia (May 7-29). His national championships will come on the heels of the Giro in June, followed by a break in July. His first Tour de France start will have to wait for another year.
Didier is looking at two changes in his season at the moment - one, an extra training camp and, two, not starting in his home tour, the Tour de Luxembourg.
"Unlike last year, I will do a training camp in late February, a second one. Accordingly, it will be important that I don't get into too good of shape too early. Right now, I have already trained more than last year at this time."
Instead of the Tour de Luxembourg, Didier will head to France to take part in the Criterium Dauphine. While the Dauphine will be a great race and another chance to show himself at the highest level, Didier can't help but feel a little sad that he'll miss out on taking part in his country's biggest race.
"It would have been nice to race in front of my home crowd," says Didier.