Bjarne Riis’ boys forego the usual bootcamp to concentrate on fun
The Saxo Bank-SunGard team has spent the last week at the Payitas resort on the Canary Island of Fuerteventura as usual, but has dispensed with the usual survival camp in favour of fun. In all there were 62 riders, directors, mechanics, soigneurs and administration staff present.
The team was split into groups and learned skills like kitesurfing and windsurfing, as well as learning how to perform various streets skills under the guidance of De Jydske Helte, a professional Danish performance group. With a number of the team’s key riders departing, most of whom have followed the Schleck brothers to the Luxembourg Cycling Project, there are a number of new riders joining the team for 2011.
The main objectives of the week were for the riders and staff “to have fun, and to tear down boundaries in order to maintain an open mind,” according to the team’s statement.
“To me,” said team owner Bjarne Riis, “the most important issue during this year’s teambuilding has been to integrate all the new riders and staff and to establish team spirit based upon good and memorable experiences which will be remembered and talked about throughout the whole year. And I can already see that it pays off.
“The atmosphere is relaxed, he added. “People are laughing, having a great time and it’s important for me to know that everyone gets the feeling of being part of the well-known Saxo Bank-SunGard team spirit.”
The departure from previous years’ camps also went down well with the riders, who enjoyed letting their hair down.
“The teambuilding has been very different from previous years and in a very positive way,” said Chris Anker Sørensen. “We were forced to break down other personal boundaries by performing acrobatics, dancing, singing and regular street art forms for one another. It was great fun to just park the brain outside and to burn the mask, which made us all equal in our vulnerability.
“That allowed us to have the same perspective in order to pursue the common goal,” he added.