While Vingegaard and the others were fighting for the pink jersey at Tour of Italy, a large, if not very large, portion of the professionals were (and are) in Sierra Nevada to prepare for the second part of the season, clearly dominated by the Tour de France. And this slice also includes Lorenzo Germani.
The Lazio of the Groupama-FDJ He's up there, at 2.500 meters of the Granada giant, with four other companions. Cycling, massages, gym, a carefully controlled diet... In short, we're working hard. And really Germani takes us into the heart of this high-altitude environment.
First of all, Lorenzo, why was Sierra Nevada chosen as the location by so many teams?
Because it's nice here at this time of year, it's just the right amount of warm even at altitude. We're still in southern Spain, after all. In other places like Tignes or Livigno, where people go in the height of summer, it's still a bit chilly at this time of year. Here in Sierra Nevada, the roads are good, there's not much traffic, and, importantly, it's also more convenient than Teide. Sierra Nevada can be reached easily by land vehicle. It was still a bit chilly in the first few days, but almost all of the snow that was there has melted.
Sierra Nevada, an ideal place, as you say, in short. The relative warmth at altitude and 30 degrees below. Also perfect for getting used to the heat of summer racing...
Exactly, then Here to do a hot training you just need to put on a k-way or dress a little more and you've done your active hot trainingIt's almost the same as doing it on rollers, because the speed isn't high and there's no air to cool you down. The climb back up the Sierra is long and slow.
How are you working? What are you doing?
Mainly basic work: base, volume, low intensity and also gym. Strength is an important component in this phase. During the three-week retreat, we'll go there a total of 5-6 times. We initially focused on strength, using heavy weights, then we'll move on to explosive strength. Therefore, we'll reduce the weights a bit but increase the speed of execution.
Tell us a little about the Sierra Nevada environment, from the landscapes to the long list of teams present…
The landscape is actually a bit special compared to other typical highland views, I don't know, Livigno. In short, it's mountains, but it's not the Alps. There's less vegetation, and if you go down, everything looks a bit arid and dry. From up here, we have a good view of Granada. I like it. We're in a large chalet in Sierra Nevada, but There is a road that leads up to an observatory at an altitude of 2.800 meters. And there is another way, dirt road but also easily passable with a road bike, which reaches more than 3.000 metersFor now there is still some snow and the maximum altitude is 3.000 meters.
And what's it like to pedal at those altitudes?
Well, you do feel a bit short of air. And you can see it especially in your heart rate. You're going at the same pace, but as you climb and gain altitude, your heart rate increases. And then the landscape, I repeat, is beautiful. I also like the environment because being in a chalet, or at least in an apartment, you have more group cohesion. You're all together: you eat, in the afternoon you hang out on the sofa and watch the Giro d'Italia together. In the end, time passes quickly, the atmosphere is nice so it's fun.
Visma-Lease a Bike, UAE EmiratesTotalEnergies, Bahrain… half the Tour de France is already here. The race atmosphere is in the air! What's it like meeting up with others, or even training together?
We meet, yes, but then everyone does their own work. It may happen that you go on some easy outings with riders from other teams, if the recovery days coincide. Anyway, when I pass someone, I always say hello... while there are also those who don't. It doesn't hurt me to give a little nod, a nod. But it's true: almost all the WorldTour teams are there, some are really crowded. pogacar we met him a few times.
Do you have a cook up there?
Yes, staying in the chalet we have a cook and a nutritionist. One makes the plan and the other executes it.There's also the team car with the sporting director and one or two coaches, because one arrives and one leaves. Maybe for two or three days there are two of them. Then two masseurs, the mechanic...
Compared to other training camps, given that this one objectively precedes the Tour, is there a different atmosphere, especially since you're on a French team?
In reality, every time there is a withdrawal from a race, be it the Vuelta, the Giro or the Tour, we prepare at the top. We always try to take care of everything to the maximum, so in reality there are no real differences.When I was in training camp in Tignes for the Vuelta it was the same thing.
What do you think is the most important aspect of this retreat? Sticking to the training zones you're given? Nutrition? Losing a little weight or, conversely, gaining a little muscle mass?
At high altitudes, energy expenditure is greater than on the plains. As I was saying, volume is more important. As for nutrition, I can say that we eat a lot, especially on the bike. You eat a little less off the bike. But by eating so much on the bike, you're not even that hungry after training. This way, your weight goes down or stays the same. If anything, it's better to dry out a little after the climb... if necessary.
You mentioned a lot of volume, Lorenzo, but will you be doing some intensity before the races?
It will go further, maybe right in the very last days of retreat. Maybe some VO2 Max, some shorter repetitions, but after a block like this, quality is achieved on the run.
