Israel Start-Up Nation holds first training camp since lock-down began

Dan Martin’s Israel Start-Up Nation has held with it believes is the first pro cycling team training camp since Covid19 restrictions were introduced.

The three-day training camp was held in northern Israel
and only riders based in Israel were present.

Of those who took part, some are members of the WorldTour
team and others ride for the team’s Continental-level outfit.

The camp was made possible as Israel has lifted the
Covid19-related restrictions that have made it impossible for European-based
teams to hold camps.

During the camp the team training in a group o the roads and “conducted sprints and climbing drills”.

Team owner Sylvan Adams said the fact the camp could go
ahead was “a testament to the forward-looking and astute Israeli management of
this pandemic” and Israel’s relatively low number of cases.

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There were 20 people in attendance at the camp, including
riders and team staff and a number of safety rules were adhered to.

“All participants had to sign a statement of a clean bill
of health, body temperatures are being tested often, meals are delivered in
boxes and eaten with strict social distancing,” the team said.

“And all non-training activities like team meetings are
held outdoors. Masseurs and other soigneurs wear masks when treating riders.”

The team said it saw the camp “as a first step towards
the renewal of the season and also a possible model for its preparations” under
Covid19:

“There are several hurdles to overcome before the season
restarts and restrictions of movement between countries are the most crucial,”
said team manager Kjell Carlstrom.

“It may be difficult to have a full team training camps
as we have riders living all over the world. We may need to build several
squads based on areas and which races they are selected to – and keep them
together.”