Prior to the Challenge Mallorca (Feb 5-9), all but the riders that are selected for the Tour of Qatar (Feb 5-10) will be holding yet another training camp in Mallorca. Andy Schleck, who will race for the first time since the Tour of Colorado, is looking forward to training with the team. “In my first years as a pro, I didn’t like training camps very much. I was impulsive and only racing counted. Now that I’m older, I start to like training camps a lot. They’re good when you want to build up in shape and they’re real fun.”

“I have been doing a lot of kilometres up until now. When I got home after the last camp, I could still do a lot of training, because the weather in Luxembourg was good. Cold, but you could still go out and have a good time. Despite a little cold and a sore throat, I was able to get some good work done.”

Andy Schleck will race two or more stages of the Challenge Mallorca. “My condition is ok. I’ve got a good base already. The trainers and myself will now determine what the best preparation is for me. We will be increasing the intensity of my trainings: shorter distance, more intensity.”

After the Challenge Mallorca, Schleck will continue racing at the Tour of Oman (Feb 14-19).