"Absolutely loved my first altitude camp in Val di Fassa. The scenery is incredible – it’s hard not to feel motivated when you’re surrounded by mountains like that. It was perfect for training: the long climbs helped build endurance, and there were still plenty of fast, rolling roads where I could work on my sprint. It’s an amazing place for any rider to prepare for the season." These are the words of Paul Magnier, the twenty-one-year-old French rider, already a world cycling star, who, along with several teammates from Soudal Quick-Step, is ready to return to Val di Fassa.
Thanks to its iconic mountain passes, quality services, and an atmosphere steeped in sporting history, the Dolomite valley is a reference point for international cycling teams. This is particularly true for Soudal Quick-Step, who will be in the valley from the end of June until the end of July with both their men's and women's teams to prepare for the sporting events of the second half of summer and autumn. "For a cycling team, 'Altitude Training Camps' are now fundamental for achieving excellent performance. But choosing the right territory is not enough; other factors are also needed. That's why we have been choosing Val di Fassa for several years now," says Alessandro Tegner, Marketing & Communication Manager for Soudal Quick-Step, who is responsible for the partnership between this prestigious team and Val di Fassa.
The cycling team, which recently achieved a historic record of 1000 victories, has established a deep bond with Val di Fassa. The Belgian team has chosen Passo San Pellegrino as their headquarters for their high-altitude retreats, taking advantage of climbs above 2000 meters, the vast flat areas, and the high-quality facilities. "In Val di Fassa, we've found our balance, between the possibility of training on excellent roads, relying on high-altitude plains and great climbs.
It's a territory that, among other things, allows us to diversify, meaning that riders who are there for road training can go mountain biking or trekking immersed in majestic nature." But Tegner also highlights another significant aspect: "In the valley, thanks to the partnership with Val di Fassa Tourist Board and the solid relationships we have built over time, we receive a warm welcome that makes us feel at home: cyclists here are considered special guests. This is an important aspect for athletes who spend a lot of time away from their country and family and who, therefore, are looking for environments that contribute to their well-being. When riders are engaged in these training sessions, they also need mental rest and to move around during their free time: from Passo San Pellegrino, we can reach Moena in an instant or, with the cable cars, the top of a mountain at 2500 meters."
The logistics and the possibility of bringing the women's and men's teams together at altitude should not be underestimated: "Despite being in the heart of the Dolomites, Fassa is easily reachable from Belgium with our vehicles, despite the complexity of moving riders, technical staff and equipment. It's also accessible by plane, because there are nearby airports that allow us to go from major cities to high mountains in a few hours. That's why we are gathering athletes from both teams in the Dolomites these days, an opportunity to foster synergies between the two teams in terms of staff and experiences."
The Soudal Quick-Step women's team will be the first to arrive in Val di Fassa at the end of June. The women's group, with Kim Le Court, Justine Ghekiere, and Julie Van de Velde, will stay until a few days before the start of the Tour de France Femmes (which runs from July 26th to August 3rd). Julie Van de Velde is enthusiastic about the experience: Val di Fassa is the most beautiful region I ever visited on training camp. It tops my list because of the magical scenery and the nice villages. We received a super warm welcome and it’s the perfect place to prepare yourself for your upcoming races. Besides a perfect playground for cyclists, it’s super nice for hiking and having an easy time on the mountains."
The men team, on the other hand, arrive on July 7th and stay until the end of the month. Among them is Paul Magnier, who experienced his first high-altitude camp last year, which also brought good fortune to Tim Merlier, the European champion, who is competing in the Tour de France. Regarding training in Val di Fassa, Merlier states:” I’ve done a lot of altitude camps over the years, but Val di Fassa really stands out. The landscape is stunning, and the environment is ideal for focused training. The climbs are tough and rewarding, and I’ve found it’s also a great place to work on sprint conditioning. Everything you need as a rider is here – it’s a top setup for preparing for big goals.”
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