RAPHA-CONDOR SOAKING UP THE SPANISH SUN

Rapha Condor training in Malaga 2009

The Rapha-Condor team is enjoying the Spanish sunshine this week as they continue their pre-season build-up near Malaga.

It's the team's second week-long training camp this winter. "I prefer doing week long camps, or ten days maximum," team boss John Herety said. "Any longer than that and you have to have days off to recover."

The whole squad is in Malaga, with the exception of Chris Newton who is in Majorca with the GB squad, and Darren Lapthorne who is still in Australia sorting out his visa, preparing for their first races of 2009 in South Africa.

"Tom Southam and Kristian House are both going well already as they raced at the Australian champs," said Herety. "They're going noticeably better so they'll be pressing on and will be looking to do something in South Africa."

Rapha-Condor will ride the four-day Tour of Boland and then the Giro del Capo that starts on March fourth. " We can't just go to events for the experience anymore, we've got to go there and do something," Herety said.

Southam and House will be joined by Namibian champion Dan Craven, Simon Richardson (formerly of Plowman Craven), Lapthorne and Chris Newton.

"Dan should get to wear the leaders' jersey for the UCI Africa Tour as he currently leads the standing. It's one of several jerseys he could wear; he's also the Namibian champion and the African champion."

The team will return to Malaga for their final training camp on February 14 where they will be joined by members of the Rapha-Condor club and shoot the clothing catalogue.

The team's first race in the UK will be the Bikeline two-day on March 14-15.

Rapha-Condor cycling team training near Malaga 2009

Dean Downing (on left) leads the team on a four hour training ride. Picture courtesy of Rapha-Condor.

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Rapha-Condor looking for success at home and away

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Simon Richardson
Magazine editor

Editor of Cycling Weekly magazine, Simon has been working at the title since 2001. He fell in love with cycling 1989 when watching the Tour de France on Channel 4, started racing in 1995 and in 2000 he spent one season racing in Belgium. During his time at CW (and Cycle Sport magazine) he has written product reviews, fitness features, pro interviews, race coverage and news. He has covered the Tour de France more times than he can remember along with two Olympic Games and many other international and UK domestic races. He became the 130-year-old magazine's 13th editor in 2015.