Soudal-QuickStep head to Val di Fassa for altitude training

"I absolutely loved my first altitude camp in Val di Fassa. The scenery is incredible – it’s hard not to feel motivated when you’re surrounded by mountains like that."

These are the words of Paul Magnier, a 21-year-old French rider and already a world cycling star, who, along with several teammates from Soudal-QuickStep and AG Insurance-Soudal, is ready to return to Val di Fassa for training this summer.

"It was perfect for training: the long climbs helped build endurance, and there were still plenty of fast, rolling roads where I could work on my sprint. It’s an amazing place for any rider to prepare for the season," Magnier continued.

Thanks to its iconic mountain passes, quality services, and an atmosphere steeped in sporting history, the Dolomite valley is a favoured location for many cycling teams. This is particularly true for Soudal-QuickStep, who will be in the valley for a third time from the end of June until the end of July with both their men's and women's teams to prepare for the races still to come in the summer and autumn.

"For a cycling team, altitude training camps are now fundamental for achieving excellent performance. But choosing the right territory is not enough; other factors are also needed. That's why we have been choosing Val di Fassa for several years now," said Alessandro Tegner, Marketing & Communication Manager for Soudal Quick-Step, who is responsible for the partnership between the team and Val di Fassa.

QuickStep, whose men's outfit recently achieved a historic record of 1,000 victories, has established a deep bond with Val di Fassa. The Belgian team has chosen Passo San Pellegrino as their headquarters for their high-altitude camps, taking advantage of climbs above 2,000 metres, the vast flat areas, and the high-quality facilities.

"In Val di Fassa, we've found our balance, between the possibility of training on excellent roads, relying on high-altitude plains and great climbs. It's a territory that, among other things, allows us to diversify, meaning that riders who are there for road training can go mountain biking or trekking immersed in majestic nature," Tegner added.

But Tegner also highlights another significant aspect: "In the valley, thanks to the partnership with Val di Fassa Tourist Board and the solid relationships we have built over time, we receive a warm welcome that makes us feel at home: cyclists here are considered special guests. This is an important aspect for athletes who spend a lot of time away from their country and family and who, therefore, are looking for environments that contribute to their well-being," he said.

"When riders are engaged in these training sessions, they also need mental rest and to move around during their free time: from Passo San Pellegrino, we can reach Moena in an instant or, with the cable cars, the top of a mountain at 2,500 metres."

The logistics and the possibility of bringing the women's and men's teams together at altitude is also a big advantage.

"Despite being in the heart of the Dolomites, Fassa is easily reachable from Belgium with our vehicles, despite the complexity of moving riders, technical staff and equipment. It's also accessible by plane, because there are nearby airports that allow us to go from major cities to high mountains in a few hours," Tegner said. "That's why we are gathering athletes from both teams in the Dolomites these days, an opportunity to foster synergies between the two teams in terms of staff and experiences."

The women's AG Insurance-Soudal team will be the first to arrive in Val di Fassa at the end of June. The group will include Kim Le Court, Justine Ghekiere, and Julie Van de Velde, and they will stay until a few days before the start of the Tour de France Femmes (July 26-August 3)

Julie Van de Velde is already looking forward to the experience: "Val di Fassa is the most beautiful region I ever visited on training camp. It tops my list because of the magical scenery and the nice villages. We received a super warm welcome and it’s the perfect place to prepare yourself for your upcoming races. Besides a perfect playground for cyclists, it’s super nice for hiking and having an easy time on the mountains."

The men's team will arrive on July 7 and stay until the end of the month, made up of a group of riders who aren't at the Tour de France but are aiming at later goals this season.

Among them is Paul Magnier, who experienced his first altitude camp last year, alongside Tim Merlier, the European champion, who reaped the benefits of that camp. Merlier is competing in the Tour de France this year, so won't be on the July training camp, but was full of praise for Val di Fassa.

"I’ve done a lot of altitude camps over the years, but Val di Fassa really stands out," he said. "The landscape is stunning, and the environment is ideal for focused training. The climbs are tough and rewarding, and I’ve found it’s also a great place to work on sprint conditioning. Everything you need as a rider is here – it’s a top set-up for preparing for big goals."