ask johan , november edition

In the first issue of the Team Astana & Johan Bruyneel Newsletter, we offered fans the opportunity to “Ask Johan” their most pressing questions.

If you didn’t receive the first newsletter and want to be included in future mailings, please email your name and email address to astana.web.support@gmail.com

A note from Johan:

Fans –

Wow, I received a LONG list of questions the other day. Thanks for all the great questions. As you can imagine, it’s a busy time as we plan for 2009, so I picked ten to answer. I know there were a lot of questions relating to training. I thought that since those questions are somewhat individual, I’d answer more of the general, team-related questions. On the training related questions, we’re hoping to create some programs with the Johan Bruyneel Cycling Academy to help you in the future. Stay tuned!

Thanks for all your support!

Johan,

Fabulous season!!

What are the plans for training camp. Albuquerque? I need to take my wife home for a visit and would like to time it to camp and team presentation if it is going to be there.

I enjoyed Lance's "training ride" in Dripping Springs. :D

Best wishes!

Vann S.

Spokane, WA (USA)

Hi Vann –

That’s a good question that I’m sure has been in people’s minds for quite some time. Let me start with our first training camp, which will be held next month in Tenerife. Why Tenrife? Well for starters, since the majority of our staff and riders based in Europe, it’s a relatively short plane ride. Now most importantly, combine that with nice weather (avg around 17-22 C, 62-72 F), good elevation and a cycling friendly community! So we’ll spend about a little over a week there – getting in some training, doing some team-building activities and meeting with the riders to discuss the 2009 season.

The other training camp will be held later than in previous years. With the Tour Down Under on the schedule, we’ve pushed the training camp to early February prior to the Tour of California. As usual, it will be a high-intensity training camp meant to get in some good training before everyone goes off and follows his own program. We had a great time in Albuquerque last year and are grateful to New Mexico and Bernalillo County’s support, but felt it was in the team’s best interest to hold camp this year in California. It’s no secret that Levi will be looking to win his third straight Tour of California title. Training on and around the same routes will hopefully serve the team well for our first big challenge and goal of 2009.

Hey Johan,

First, thanks for being such a powerful influence to the sport we all love! You are truly as valuable as any and all the great riders in the history of Road Cycling!

So, how has my man Chris Horner recovered after his broken collarbone? Judging from his strong result in Giro di Lombardia it seems he has recovered pretty well. I look forward to seeing Horner ride in support of Lance and Alberto because we know he will get the job done with a smile.

Thanks again for being you and maintaining the high standards that cycling deserves!

Sincerely,

Matthew B.

Boulder, CO (USA)

Matt –

Thanks for the compliments. Your man Chris Horner is doing very well and is someone we will look to count on in 2009. Luckily, nowadays riders can heal from collarbone injuries fairly quickly and be back training a lot quicker than you’d think. Though Chris ran into some unfortunate injuries in 2008, the good thing is that when he is healthy you are guaranteed to get a great effort out of him. He’s also been a good mentor for some of the younger guys and we are glad to have him back with us in 09.

Hello Johan,

Would your schedule allow you to travel to Australia in 2009 with Lance for the Tour Down Under? It would be great to see you on our shores and to get my copy of your book autographed.

Thank you for your time

Megan & Ryan D

Australia

Well Megan and Ryan, nothing is confirmed yet, but there is a good possibility I’ll be going to Australia with the team. Unfortunately, due to our team training camp I didn’t make it last year, but I heard great things about the race, organization and Australian fans. Hope to see you Down Under!

Johan,

First, my utmost congratulations on you and the teams fantastic

success in 2008. My question is this: With historically the strongest

cycling team in history, how do you manage to keep so many stars working as

a team? As in many sports, it's what separates the good teams from the

great teams, yet it is so difficult, it's a rare occurrence, yet you've

managed to do so for many years. Thanks for this opportunity, I'll be

watching.

Devoted Fan,

Ed P

Franklin, KY (USA)

Thanks Ed. The long answer to that question lives in my book. I go into quite some detail about how you take a group of talented riders from all over the world, bring them together, have them put their personal goals aside and buy into one common goal. A big challenge! A lot of it comes down to managing personalities, managing expectations and giving individual ownership. In the end, it has little, if anything to do with racing and more to do with communication. I’ve even done some speeches to businessmen and women who know very little about cycling, but want to know about management organization, and communication philosophies. If you put everything together nicely, winning and success come much easier!

Would like to know Johan's true feelings of Lance's return? Team Astana was primed for a TDF victory even without him.

Thanks,

Allen

Allen –

My true feelings? I don’t think I’ve been hiding them! Lance’s comeback is great for the team, sport and certainly the global cancer community. When we initially spoke about his comeback he told me he wanted to race for Team Astana. If our title sponsors and I didn’t think it was the right fit for the team, we certainly wouldn’t have put the team dynamics and goals in jeopardy. I can’t guarantee if Lance will win any races for us, but I can guarantee that his presence, leadership and charisma will benefit the other riders and staff and certainly elevate everyone’s motivation and focus. I agree, we are still a strong team without him (proven this year), but you can never recruit too much talent. And Lance is that right talent that will only help our team!

Hi!! Please keep me on your email list. I want to hear any & everything I can from you. My father has given me permission to reply. He's a devoted fan. My question this time is I'm 15 years old and would like your advice on how to start racing. Any suggestions about what to watch out for & where to begin? Thanks a lot and have a great day...God Bless!! John P (my Dad's name is John too)

Hi John –

Good to see we have some younger fans following the sport. You are the future so it’s nice to see the support and interest from the younger generation! I’m not sure where you are from, but my initial advice would be to go to your local bike shop. Bike shops are usually good resources to find out about local and regional races and they can send you in the right direction to obtain a license or become a member of the cycling federation. A good bike shop will properly fit you on a bike and also explain the importance of bike safety, including wearing your helmet at all times. I’d also suggest you inquire about training rides for juniors. Some shops hold weekend rides where anyone can join and ride in a big group. We’ll also be sure to post any updates on the Johan Bruyneel Cycling Academy. We hope to run some junior camp programs in the near future.

Good luck John. Be safe and just remember to have fun. It’s a great sport and I’m sure you will enjoy it!

Will Armstrong ride in the Tour de Georgia? I believe his presence can save a race that is endangered. Their benefactors are Cancer and health related charities that he would support.

Thanks!

Hi KP –

That’s a good question and I don’t have the answer since we have not received confirmation whether the Tour de Georgia will take place this year. From what I’ve heard, they’ve had some trouble with getting the necessary funds. It’s a race that I’ve always enjoyed taking my teams to, whether it be USPS, Discovery Channel and now Team Astana. And the fans have certainly given us a warm welcome! Let’s hope to get some good news in the next few months from the race organizers!

Johan,

Was the latest decision to add a mountain stage as the last stage to the Tour de France a response to Lance's return or because the sponsors were lobbying for more reason to stay tuned in?

Richard P.

Kissimmee, FL

Hi Richard –

There were rumors of Ventoux entering into the final tour stage program prior to Lance’s comeback so I really don’t see this as a response to Lance’s return. I think it is more of response to fans and media. Certainly putting a historical climb, not to mention one of the world’s hardest, at the tail end will only keep the suspense at its maximum. I think today’s race organizers are looking for different spectacles that keep fans further engaged in the race. This type of change isn’t a bad thing and a hard stage to the Ventoux will certainly make it that much sweeter for the rider who stands on the top step of the podium in Paris!

Hi Johan

I can`t say how excited I am about Lance returning to the peloton.

I am a huge fan of you, Lance and the whole “blue train”…..so much that my youngest son is named Lance.

My question to you is simple. Lance became known as the “force” and George as the loyal domestique.

Are you going to reunite the two of them on Astana?

I hope to here from you soon.

Warm regards

Neil D.

Neil –

Thank you for your support. George and Lance are very close and I also have a very good relationship with George, even to this day when he no longer races for us. But the truth is that George is under contract with Team Columbia and he will not reunite with Lance on Team Astana. It was a bit strange this year to see him at the races with a different kit and I’m sure Lance will feel the same. Regardless, it’s always good to see George and we certainly wish him the best of luck!

Just wondering.....

Enjoyed your Tour commentary with Phil & the gang this year at the Tour.....was it useful for you in picking up info on 'the competition' and up and coming potentials for future team building?

It must have been fun to watch the teams from this different perspective.

Great Season - Great Team - Well Done!

Margaret N.

Hi Margaret –

Glad you enjoyed the commentary. It was fun, but I think I will be a bit busy this year and won’t have a chance to be in the booth with those guys! Given the circumstances, it was a great and new experience for me to evaluate the race and teams from the outside looking in. And I must say, I have a newfound appreciation for everyone who works at Versus during the Tour. And I don’t just mean the commentators. There are so many people behind-the-scenes that are responsible for that show’s success. It’s an opportunity that I hope to have again in the future!