CLEAR TEAM AND INDIVIDUAL GOALS

(Editors Note: The following information is from the T-Mobile Team website. This story and a slideshow of photographs can be found at:
http://www.t-mobile-team.com/tmo_team/servlet/pages/970960/ref/889390

The T-Mobile Team rides the Giant TCR Advanced Team T-Mobile Bicycle)

(October 24, 2007) The 2008 season has already started for the T-Mobile Team. The 29 athletes on the 2008 roster gathered with management for a packed two-day meeting in Cologne from Sunday to Tuesday (October 21 – 23, 2007), where the focus was on delivering each rider the tools and plans they need to train and focus on 2008.

“It’s been a successful camp with everything geared around getting the team off to a great start to the new season,” said team general manager Bob Stapleton.

The 27 riders announced to the roster in September were joined in Cologne by newest recruit Marcel Sieberg, and the returning Frantisek Rabon. (Editor’s Note: Also present was team newcomer George Hincapie, arguably the USA’s best known active pro bike racer.)

Given that the squad features 11 newcomers in total, team bonding was another critical element of the camp: “The camp was a chance to welcome the new faces and we added some fun group interaction exercises to help build team spirit," said Stapleton:

There was also a strong focus on ‘goal setting’. “We set clear individual goals for riders and we set clear team goals,” said Stapleton. “Each rider knows their key objectives for the first half of 2008. “

Youth and experience
The 2008 roster brings together experienced leaders and young talent, with 14 riders under the age of 25. That youthful energy was evident in Cologne. Stapleton: “I was delighted with the response of the riders, their enthusiasm and their motivation to prepare for 2008.”

Newest recruit, Marcel Sieberg, joins the team from Milram: "As well as bringing great athletic skill and ability on the bike, Marcel's personality makes him a perfect fit for the team," said Stapleton. "He is very positive, focused and he is really excited to be in magenta."

"Frantisek has proven himself as a good team worker for two years and both he and Marcel are riders who can make a positive meaningful contribution on the bike. Plus, they are riders their team mates can rely on and have confidence in.”

Bringing together the best from the world of sport
Clean sport remains top of the agenda and all the riders at the camp were the subject of rigorous medical monitoring and doping testing. The team’s comprehensive anti-doping testing program will be formally presented at the team camp on Mallorca in January.

T-Mobile Team scours the world of sport to provide all its athletes with the best tools, methods and support available on and off the bike - in Cologne, the team met a number of experts from fields as diverse as aerodynamics, orthopedics and core training methods.

The event was also extended to rider spouses who were given advice by the team’s new nutritionist. ”The spouses play a very important role in the riders’ well-being. And as well cooking and eating for energy, it is important he riders eat for health and performance.”

From January 5 the complete team will regroup for the traditional training camp on Mallorca. The racing season then starts on January 14 at the Tour Down Under in Australia, where the T-Mobile Team will be competing for the first time.