FIRST PRE-SEASON CAMP COMPLETE FOR GENERATION

CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto Generation have just completed the first of two season preparation camps, with one held in January and the second scheduled for February.

Nearly all riders were in attendance, so the gathering provided a valuable opportunity for both new and returning riders to develop bonds and lay the foundations of a strong unit. With half of the squad made up of new faces, familiarisation and integration were a key focus. Girona, where Generation riders are commonly based during the season, provided an ideal location, further enhanced by visits to the team’s nearby service course.

From long hours on the bike to classic off-bike camp staples, the group covered a full spectrum: shared dinners at their rural homestead accommodation, team-building sessions, coffee stops, and time to unwind together.

Below, Generation Team Manager and Sports Director Gosia Jasinska reflects on the camp just completed, as does new recruit Weronika Wąsaty and third-year returnee Awen Roberts. The squad will reconvene for its second camp in Calpe from February 12.

Gosia

“We did this first training camp in Girona where the team has accommodation, so the new riders can become more familiar with the roads and area. Overall, it was a great block of training and team-building. The first goal was team-building so we chose to stay in a house where the riders could cook together and get to know each other better, rather than in a normal hotel. We had a very enjoyable ten days because of that. The weather wasn’t so good for the first two days, but only after we’d finished training! I think we have a really nice group of riders – very positive and for the first time together, they were really good. Besides that, we have very good athletes with great passion for cycling.”

“We wanted to get to know everyone – to see what kind of riders they are and what type of personality they have. I think we have a very good mix. We started to understand each other more, and I believe that we are all sharing the same goals for this season, which I am happy about. Looking across everything, we have many riders who can reach a very, very high level in cycling.”

“I think everyone is unique, and I especially like the mindset of a few riders.  For example, I like Sophie’s mentality as she can show the others how to fight and how to achieve goals. I was impressed by how much she has improved during four weeks, from when we first met each other until now. And also, Tsige – I think she will be a WorldTour rider in maybe one or two years. She has very big potential.”

“I think they all created a group very quickly, and I liked that there was a feeling that they had known each other for already a few months and not just a few days. I think the team-building exercises that we did showed me who can be a good captain in the races, and who has the character of a leader. At the beginning, it was difficult but by the end, they were working well together and we achieved the goals of our activity. They also had good fun, which was very nice to see. I think it was also nice, how both the new and returning riders appreciated the work of all staff, as I think that’s very important for us too.”

“The second camp will be more focused on training – higher intensity and more teamwork on the bike. We first wanted to better understand who we were working with, so now that we know each other, we can focus more on doing this while out on the road.”

Weronika

“The first few weeks with Generation have been really good; I felt welcomed in the team from the start and quickly felt comfortable. The atmosphere is positive and that makes it easy to focus on training.”

“I was surprised by how professional everything is. The staff are very organised and always supportive, which makes a big difference day to day. On the bike, riding and training together as a team was the highlight. Off the bike, it was the team spirit and spending time together which made the camp really enjoyable. I’m looking forward to training in Calpe and continuing to build form with the team. It will be great to keep improving together.”

Awen

“It was a really great camp because we were able to see progress on how we rode together as a team, from the first day until the last day. We also got to know each other well and had time to gel nicely together.”

“I feel like the most valuable part was building that trust on and off the bike, because we spend so much time together while training and racing; it’s important that we really know our teammates and fully trust them.”

“The hardest part about camps is always the testing, especially when you have it on the last day, but there’s also something about it that’s good because you can just empty the tank.”

“I feel like going into the next camp in Calpe is exciting because now that we already know each other, we can hit the first day hard, using what we learned from the first camp. I’m excited to do some team efforts like team time trial practice, and just looking forward to another camp in general.”