Bernina Pass Altitude Training Camp – IAM Cycling prepares for upcoming objectives

THE ALTITUDE TRAINING

Just like the recent training camp in May, a group of IAM Cycling riders will be spending their days at altitude in order to prepare optimally for the upcoming objectives in the second half of the season. “This camp is intended for those riders who have goals for races later in the season, like the Tour of Utah and the Vuelta,” Marcello Albasini, team trainer, explained.

THE TRAINING METHOD

In contrast to the last altitude training camp the team attended on the Säntis mountain in May, where they worked according to the concept of “Live High, Train Low” (LHTL), the camp at the Bernina Pass will follow more along the lines of a “Live High, Train High” (LHTH) methodology, largely because it is possible to live and ride at altitude when training around the Bernina Pass.

THE EXPLANATION

“Ever since 2013, we have had a summer altitude training camp here, and we have always had a good experience. The accommodations are ideal and the training routes at this level are fantastic. Unlike when we were training around the Säntis, here we step out the door and immediately we can include long mountain pass climbs into the training route. In addition to that, we can usually count on having good weather. In the summertime, there are a lot of endurance athletes training in this area because it has been proven that this training method of LHTH increases the capacity for the body to process oxygen, and that brings an increase in performance with it,” Marcello Albasini explained.

THE NUMBER

2309 – In meters, that is how high above sea level the Albergo Ospizio Bernina sits at the Bernina Pass, where the riders will be staying for the three week camp. This has been IAM Cycling’s home base in recent years when they have conducted their Bernina training camps.

THE COMEBACK

Marcel Aregger. The 25 year old rider crashed in May and broke his left ankle, which sidelined him for six weeks. He finally made his comeback to racing at the Swiss National Championships this June in Martigny. “I was still missing some of the toughness you get from racing, but otherwise I didn’t really feel that bad, and I was even able to finish the race in Martigny. Now by doing this altitude training, I hope to progress some more, and I will trust in the guidance and broad experience that Marcello Albasini can give us, so I will soon be back to my usual level. My next goal will be the Tour de Pologne. It is a race that doesn’t have huge mountains, but it is still very demanding. That’s one reason I have arrived here at camp a little earlier, so that I can take full advantage of the altitude.”

RIDERS Bernina Pass Altitude Training Camp

Marcel Aregger (Sui)
Matthias Brändle (Aut)
Clément Chevrier (Fra)
Heinrich Haussler (Aus)
Simon Pellaud (Sui)
Matteo Pelucchi (Ita)
Larry Warbasse (USA)
Marcel Wyss (Sui)
Oliver Zaugg (Sui)

Pictures – Marcel Aregger / IAM Cycling