Bahrain-Merida head to Croatia for training camp - Gallery

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The riders take the road to Stari Grad over Milna.. (Image credit: www.portraitofanathlete.com)

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Sidi and Sportful continue with Bahrain-Merida into 2018 (Image credit: www.portraitofanathlete.com)

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Quick wheel change after a puncture mid-ride (Image credit: www.portraitofanathlete.com)

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Checking the correct saddle angle (Image credit: www.portraitofanathlete.com)

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It's not all cycling at team camp. Some riders and staff enjoy a game of five-a-side football (Image credit: www.portraitofanathlete.com)

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Some locals tag on for the ride (Image credit: www.portraitofanathlete.com)

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Vincenzo Nibali checking the data (Image credit: www.portraitofanathlete.com)

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Blue skies and sea in Croatia (Image credit: www.portraitofanathlete.com)

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Ramunas Navardauskas on the ride (Image credit: www.portraitofanathlete.com)

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Some riders on the team have been tiding black bikes during the team camp (Image credit: www.portraitofanathlete.com)

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Gorka Izagirre is the odd rider out with his Movistar kit (Image credit: www.portraitofanathlete.com)

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Vincenzo Nibali getting the lowdown on the bike fit (Image credit: www.portraitofanathlete.com)

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Riding along the Croatian coast (Image credit: www.portraitofanathlete.com)

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Recovered from his knee injury, Heinrich Haussler at the training camp (Image credit: www.portraitofanathlete.com)

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Preparing to head out for a ride (Image credit: www.portraitofanathlete.com)

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The all important task of cleaning the bike (Image credit: www.portraitofanathlete.com)

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A dirty frame after a training ride (Image credit: www.portraitofanathlete.com)

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Coffee time (Image credit: www.portraitofanathlete.com)

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A smiling Sonny Colbrelli (Image credit: www.portraitofanathlete.com)

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A different look at the bike fit (Image credit: www.portraitofanathlete.com)

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A mechanic checks the bar tape is correct (Image credit: www.portraitofanathlete.com)

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Making sure everything is in place for the test (Image credit: www.portraitofanathlete.com)

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Niccolò Bonifazio and Yukiya Arashiro ready for a ride (Image credit: www.portraitofanathlete.com)

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Yoga class in session (Image credit: www.portraitofanathlete.com)

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Despite the sun, it's still been chilly in Croatia (Image credit: www.portraitofanathlete.com)

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Ramunas Navardauskas with non-standard gloves (Image credit: www.portraitofanathlete.com)

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Getting the TT bikes dialled (Image credit: www.portraitofanathlete.com)

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Manuele Boaro during a ride (Image credit: www.portraitofanathlete.com)

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Niccolò Bonifazio loosening up (Image credit: www.portraitofanathlete.com)

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Stretching out the hamstrings (Image credit: www.portraitofanathlete.com)

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The Shimano staff keep everyone in the loop with the bike fits and testing (Image credit: www.portraitofanathlete.com)

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Rider watch on during the testing (Image credit: www.portraitofanathlete.com)

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Vincenzo Nibali on a training ride (Image credit: www.portraitofanathlete.com)

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It's Vincenzo Nibali turn (Image credit: www.portraitofanathlete.com)

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Ion Izagirre leading the ride (Image credit: www.portraitofanathlete.com)

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The riders enjoy the sunshine (Image credit: www.portraitofanathlete.com)

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The team set up at the Hotel Amfora (Image credit: www.portraitofanathlete.com)

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Stretching it out (Image credit: www.portraitofanathlete.com)

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Sonny Colbrelli is ready to roll (Image credit: www.portraitofanathlete.com)

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Yukiya Arashiro leading the group on a TT ride (Image credit: www.portraitofanathlete.com)

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It hasn't all been sunshine in Croatia for the team (Image credit: www.portraitofanathlete.com)

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The mechanics check everything is in place for the riders (Image credit: www.portraitofanathlete.com)

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Stretching classes have been on the programme for the riders (Image credit: www.portraitofanathlete.com)

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Enjoying a ride in the golden sunlight (Image credit: www.portraitofanathlete.com)

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Coach Paolo Slongo (Image credit: www.portraitofanathlete.com)

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Riding towards Dubovica (Image credit: www.portraitofanathlete.com)

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Team staff check the ride is progressing seamlessly (Image credit: www.portraitofanathlete.com)

Like the majority of WorldTour teams, Bahrain-Merida have decamped to the warmer parts of Europe in preparation for the 2018 season. Unlike the majority, however, the team haven't headed to Spain but rather to the Croatian island of Hvar in the Adriatic Sea.

A little over 80km in length, the riders will be clocking up several laps of the island to get the pre-season kilometres in the legs.

The training camp is also an important two-week period for the riders to dial in their positions on their road and time trial bikes, try on new kit, and acquaint themselves with new teammates and tactics. With the full Bahrain-Merida team in attendance for the camp, the race programmes for the year are likely to be finalised.

The training camp has been coordinated by sports director Vladimir Miholjević, with the training and team activities split between a number of the Sunčani Hvar Hotels on the island of Hvar. The team will hold a general press conference 14 December with team management to outline their 2018 season objectives.

For a closer look at the Bahrain-Merida team activities at the training camp, click or swipe through the gallery.