The first pre-season training camps are under way, and we've got news from three of the teams sure to be in the heart of the action when racing restarts in January...
We start at Israel-PremierTech, where there's been quite a u-turn since we spoke to team owner Sylvan Adams just a fortnight ago. Back then, we asked him if — given the tensions fuelled by the conflict in Gaza — he had any concerns for the safety of his team’s riders and staff, to which he replied: “What are we supposed to do? Cower? We're just going to go about our daily business.” Two weeks on, IPT riders are being issued with blank training kit due to safety concerns.
We also meet Lukas Nerurkar, son of one of Britain's best marathon runners, who is on the verge of stepping up into the WorldTour with EF Education-Easy Post. The 20-year-old tells us about his journey to the top, via Brighton, Ethiopia and South London, his qualities and weaknesses as a climber and his flat share with Ben Healy. We also get the inside line on Nerurkar from EF team director Charly Wegelius.
Plus, we have a second exclusive interview with unsung hero Toms Skujins, the experienced Latvian who’s key to Lidl-Trek’s success. Speaking from his home in Andorra, Skujins, one of the most intellectual and thoughtful riders in the peloton, discusses his team's major off-season signings, offers his take on One Cycling's attempt to revamp the structure of the sport, and offers praise for CPA president Adam Hansen's attempts to get the riders talking with one voice on key issues.
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