Professional cycling group to train in Silver City, NM

SILVER CITY, NEW MEXICO — A professional cycling team will train for two very full weeks around Silver City, perhaps an ideal location for a group of cyclists who are hoping for an invitation to the Tour de France accourding to Mike Sievers/Sun-News reporter.

Slipstream/Chipotle powered by H3O, a team that has regularly appeared in the Tour of the Gila, will have about 40 people in town for a winter training camp. While they are here, they will hold a charity ride benefiting a local cycling program for area children.

Eric Fostvedt, operations manager for Slipstream, said the team will have 17 professionals and seven “junior,” or under-23, cyclists training every day for two weeks. A small group of Slipstream staff is scheduled to arrive today, while the riders are set to arrive on Monday.

“It’s pretty commonplace for most professional teams to have a focused training camp and just to get everyone on the same page,”

Fostvedt said. Slipstream/Chipotle will not be the only team to hold a winter training camp in Silver City. Legacy Energy, an amateur Category I team from Colorado, will bring eight cyclists into town to train.

Fostvedt said Slipstream’s training will include time trial practice, climbing practice and workouts in the gym. He said the number of hours will depend on the day; a “light” day will include a two- to three-hour ride, while a “heavy” day will include a five- to six-hour ride.

“Their days are definitely full,” Fostvedt said.

He said the team held a similar camp in Silver City in 2006 and tried a different location last year, but it wasn’t as good of an environment. He said Silver is an ideal location because of the mild climate, the scenery and the supportive community.

“We’ve had great experiences with the restaurants there who are helping us out,” he said. “The Holiday Inn Express has been really great; Lannie Olson, the manager, has been very helpful.”

He said Diane’s Restaurant, Adobe Springs Cafe and Shevek & Mi have all made plans to accommodate the cycling team, catering to the motel.

Slipstream, which is a large team with a European contingent, will begin the season with a number of different cycling events. The European portion of the team will start with the Tour of Qatar on Feb. 1, while a small group of Americans will go directly from

Silver City to the Tour of the Bahamas, also starting Feb. 1.

Another group will take part in a race in France, while the first big American race will be the Tour of California in mid-February.

With the pro cycling team Discovery disbanding, Fostvedt said Slipstream is the only American team capable of participating in the Tour de France, the team’s ultimate goal for the season.

On Jan. 19, the team is scheduled to hold a charity ride from 2 to 3:30 p.m., starting and finishing at the Holiday Inn.

Adult riders may participate for $25, with proceeds benefiting the local Bikeworks kids’ cycling program.

After the ride there will be a meet-and-greet session with Slipstream/Chipotle from 4 to 5 p.m. at the motel. For more information about the charity ride contact Jack Brennan of Gila Hike & Bike at (575) 388-3222.

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