Liv Racing Xstra’s first training camp this year took place in Tuscany. The past two weeks the riders have been preparing for their new road season. Five questions to Jeanne Korevaar, who has been part of our team since 2015. “With the many new additions and changes, Liv Racing Xstra still feels a bit like a whole new environment to me.”
How do you look back on the training camp?
“It has been a very nice camp, I look back on it with a positive feeling. We already had a first meeting in December at Landal Kasteeldomein de Cauberg in Valkenburg. That was nice. But now we could finally really start working together. We had good weather, the conditions were fantastic. So we could perfectly execute our training programme. In Italy, it is not a punishment to cycle anyway. In addition to training, we had a lot of fun. In the first place, it is all about training, so that you are physically fit. But the mutual pleasure also counts. It makes you mentally fresh and eager to start the season together.”
How did you spend your time there?
“At the beginning of the first week we did Power Profile Tests. On the first day short intervals, on the second day a 20 minute test. Going really deep for a moment, purely to see where you stand in your training progress. I must say: I can be quite satisfied with where I am now. Later in the week, we did a lot of training together. Usually in two groups, so that everyone could train at their own level. We alternated long training sessions of sometimes six hours with shorter ones of, for example, three hours. We also did some specific training: echelon training, sprints and things like that.”
Liv Racing Xstra has changed a lot compared to last year. What do you notice?
“I’ve been with the team for many years, I’m the longest staying rider. But with all the new additions and changes, Liv Racing Xstra feels like a new environment to me. Everyone is very enthusiastic, you notice time and again. And everyone looks at things with a very open mind. I learn new things from Giorgia and Wim, they look at certain things in a different way. That provides new impulses, which enables me to improve. The new riders also provide a different dynamic. I didn’t know most of the new riders until the end of last year.”
What does the continuation of your season preparation look like?
“From Italy I went directly with Sabrina Stultiens to the training camp with the national team in Gran Canaria. I will be there until February 1st. After that I’ll be home for a week and then we’ll go to Spain, where we’ll have another training camp with the team. After that training camp, I will ride my first race in Valencia. Last year I wasn’t there. In the years before, I went to Australia a few times before the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. I have to say I like to get some race rhythm before the Omloop. In Valencia I can start warming up.”
What are your personal goals this year?
“I don’t have any specific goals. I mainly want to have fun, challenge myself and grow to a higher level. It would be nice if I can continue from where I ended last year.”