Sicily is becoming really important in PRO Cycling world. For this reason PRO Team TREK-Segafredo decided to choose Etna as location for its first training camp of 2018 season. As Sicily Cycling Club we were invited by Penny Gatward to talk about Sicily and cycling.
Penny is the TREK Travel Trip Designer who for the last nine years has created Le Tour itineraries. It was a great experience for us to share our thoughts about Sicily and our vision of Cycling in our island with Penny and Ilona Kohlerova. Ilona, who is responsible for the Giro Itineraries, is looking for new great experiences in Italy.
The girls had just returned from cycling before our meeting. They had been riding on "Strada Quota Mille" with the rest of the PRO Team. This road we always put in our cycling camp routes because gives you the opportunity to watch the Volcano Etna from 1000mt and the view is spectacular.
Together with Penny and Ilona we talked about our offer in Sicily. They are looking for great locations (4 and 5 stars hotels), great food (is very easy here) and scenic roads. We also explained how important is for us to give our guests a great cultural experience. We like to show every one our traditions, our gestures, our tips about sicilians and how to feel a bit "mafiosi" for a week :).
In the meantime we had the chance to see what the PRO Team members were doing. Every one was really busy. The new Team's Kit was unveiled just couple of hours before so the riders where still getting their own sets. They were fitting everything, from helmets to shoes to, of course, new bikes!
The mechanics were working really hard to give all the new Team Members the perfect bike for the new season. Bauke Mollema, the team captain from the Gran Tours, was testing his new TT bike and a lot of people were working frantically to allow the PRO riders to focus only on training and recovery.
Will the next TREK Travel be in Sicily? Possibly. Will Sicily Cycling Club be involved? We'll see! for sure it was a great day for us.
We started feeling the experiences we will have during our next Giro d'Italia Camp in May 2018.