While the T-Mobile team are getting to know each other and get in the miles, they’ve also had the chance to get familiar with their 2007 Giant.

Here’s the press release about their training camp in full:

T-Mobile have kicked off their 2007 season by honing their form and strengthening team spirit at a lengthy training camp in southern Spain.

With warm early spring sunshine on the island of Mallorca acting as a welcome boost for team morale, the 29 male and 11 female athletes that make up T-Mobile’s squads trained for intense periods of up to four and a half hours a day.

But the hard work did not stop there. Off the bike activities included gym work based on core training, physiotherapy, media training, sessions with psychologists and rigourous health testing. The team’s official presentation, with UCI president Pat McQuaid and Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme attending as the guests of honour, also took place during the camp.

“All the riders were tested on the first two days and split into three groups depending on their objectives for the season.” T-Mobile team doctor Stefan Vogt told Giant’s website.

“Their training programs are highly structured, with special features like interval training and time trial training also included. We also analyse in great detail what and when they eat and drink before, during and after training rides. Then there’s all the stuff they are doing off the bike, like the media training, health checks and so on.

“The riders have already done their basic ‘homework’ in terms of training in the Canary Islands and South Africa or wherever. Here we’re bringing them into racing condition with more intense training sessions.”

“It’s a lot to pack into 10 days – in fact it may look like things are quiet, but that’s because so much is going on. The riders even say that they’re only spend time in their rooms when they’re sleeping!”

“Nobody’s complaining though. They are very motivated. The physiotherapy programs both before and after training, the indepth nutritional analysis, and the work with the sports psychologists are all new elements in the camp this year. That way everybody’s interest and attention stays strong, too.”

One feature that has not changed is that – for the sixth year running – T-Mobile continue to use the Club Robinson hotel in southern Mallorca as their base for the training camp. “It’s got ample, well-designed facilities as a leisure and fitness centre.” Vogt explained. “Plus, up to 200 people are involved in one way or another in the T-Mobile team project. Getting them all under one roof in an area that is good for training is not easy – but Club Robinson is the ideal location and hotel to do just that. It’s in a quiet, rural area, there are good roads and good weather. For training and focussing on the months to come, it’s just what we want.”

“It’s been hard work but very rewarding.” new British recruit Roger Hammond commented. “T-Mobile are putting together one of the best-structured teams in the world, and that is something that doesn’t just happen overnight. This has been a great start.”