Both the World Tour and Devo Team riders will go to Val di Fassa to prepare for the summer races.
At the end of the Covid lockdown in 2020, Soudal Quick-Step travelled to Val di Fassa for an altitude camp to get ready for the resumption of racing. The team will head again to Passo San Pellegrino in July, at Hotel Cristallo. The valley, a breathtaking UNESCO Heritage Site, which Soudal Quick-Step knows well, is located in the very heart of the Dolomites.
Offering perfect territory, with climbs over 2000 meters for intense training, but also flat and up and down areas that can be found at an altitude of around 1000 meters, it’s the ideal terrain for our climbers, fast finishers, and for training with the time trial bikes. For that reason, The Wolfpack will prepare the second part of the season in this beautiful region.
The training camp is possible thanks to the renewed support of the Val di Fassa Tourist Board. The partnership, which will last until at least the summer of 2025, will showcase Val di Fassa as a top cycling destination. Therefore, also the Soudal Quick-Step Devo Team will be present in Val di Fassa, more specifically around the Passo Pordoi, from the 22nd of May until the 4th of June to prepare the U23 Giro d’Italia. The World Tour riders will be at San Pellegrino during two periods: from 1st until 15th July and possibly also from 7th until 17th August, before the Vuelta a España.
Soudal Quick-Step CEO Patrick Lefevere said: “Staying in Val di Fassa is ideal for us. First of all, it’s a beautiful location and an amazing place for cycling. I know the area, I went skiing there in the past and I’m curious to discover it now during summer. We were looking for a place at 2000 meters, for the benefits that come with being on altitude. I’m grateful for the trust and opportunity that have been given to us.”
Trainer Koen Pelgrim emphasized the benefits of training on altitude: “It’s the perfect region to prepare the second part of the season, with fantastic roads. Training on altitude can give an extra stimulus for the important upcoming races.”
Soudal Quick-Step’s presence is important for the valley, as Fausto Lorenz, president of Apt Val di Fassa, underlined: “We are proud that the Wolfpack returns and that they have chosen us to collaborate with. This means that the valley responds to their altitude training needs. For us, the presence of Soudal Quick-Step implies commitment, but also attention from the media and the numerous enthusiasts who follow them, even from abroad. We know that our territory offers training opportunities for professional riders, as well as entertainment for those who simply want to experience sport and leisure in the Dolomites scenery. We wish the whole team the best during their training in Val di Fassa, to be able to be successful throughout the season.”
For more info, visit: www.fassa.com
Photo credit: ©Wout Beel