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FEATURES: RBA'S EXCLUSIVE LOOK AT THE TEAM KATUSHA CAMP
Tim Maloney
January 5, 2012
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Road Bike Action visited the Team Katusha training camp in Marina di Bibbona, Italy and noted the big changes for Russian-centric squad. The previous team management, let by Moldovan Andrei Tchmil was out, with former Gerolsteiner boss Hans-Michael Holczer taking over. Holczer brought in new staff, including highly regarded former HTC-High Road director Valerio Piva, HTC team trainer Sebastian Weber and adviser Erik Zabel, who will coach the team sprinters.
Top riders continuing with Team Katusha will include climber Purito Rodriguez, who will focus on the hilly classics, Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a Espana. Emerging Russian sprinter Denis Galimzianov will likely benefit from Zabel's tutelage. New to the team include Luca Paolina and Denis Menchov.
New arrivals at Team Katusha include stalwart Spanish sprinter Oscar Friere and Russian stage race specialist Denis Menchov, who will fly the Katusha flag at the Tour de France. Also new to Team Katusha for 2012 is bike sponsor Canyon, who will provide their Aeroad 9.0 CF and Ultimate CF 9.0 for the riders and introduce the sleek new Speedmax TT bike at the Giro d'Italia in May.
2012 Canyons ready for Katusha team riders.
Katusha mechanics modify Canyon fork column the good old-fashioned way - hacksaw!
Team mechanic Yuri checks each bike for proper sizing.
Purito Rodriguez's 2012 Canyon Aeroad CF 9.0 with Shimano Dura Ace Di2 electronic drivetrain.
Katusha's classics specialist Luca Paolini will ride a Canyon Ultimate CF 9.0 in 2012
Mavic's Thomas Davy fits the lightweight Zxellium Ultimate shoes for Katusha rider Vladimir Gusev.
Rain Bags: These are riders survival kits, with rain gear and spare shoes inside. Each rider has one ready to go in the team car for training sessions.
Katusha team trainer Sebastian Weber (center) and team advisor Erik Zabel (right) explain the details about the upcoming sprint workout..all in a day's work.
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