Some cyclists have already begun with the new season, while others, Jan included, will do so soon. However, he is quite busy these days working on some final preseason testing. Preseason testing sessions are very important, as they lay a firm foundation for the whole season, as well as give a very good insight into how well a rider is prepared for the upcoming challenges on the roads around the world.
Jan did a stress test at the Sports Institute in Ljubljana, Slovenia to check his current physical condition. He also tested the new materials at the Velodrome Novo mesto and did a 3D scan of the handlebar. Riders are the ones winning races, so their good conditioning is paramount, but at the very top of the world cycling the difference can be so small that they sometimes (especially in time-trial stages) can also fall down to equipment. Better materials, more aerodynamic position (and again materials) can play an important role and testing at velodrome helped Jan and the team gather some very useful information for the season.
»I would like to thank my team, which enabled me to do preseason testings. I’m sure it will help me in the upcoming season to be even faster. The weather in February in Slovenia is not the best for training, but I managed to do some quality training. My performance is good, but I know I can be better, so there is still some work to do.«
Jan Tratnik