By Cathy Mehl

We checked in with Barbara Van Maeldergem as she makes the final arrangements for the start of Sunday’s first team camp. Hard at work as usual, Barbara shared the process she’s gone through to get the team in the right place at the right time.

Cathy: How long have you been working on the first camp?

Barbara: The first thing I did was booking the hotel; we did that in the beginning of September. After the hotel was booked I started to book the flights, but there were some changes (like usual) & until today I still didn’t finish all the flights yet. And then the rest, booking the rental cars, organizing the pickups etc.

How was Tenerife selected for camp?

Tenerife is a good location, the temperature is still very good this time a year (23-24°C) & it’s a good place where the guys can train in altitude. Logistically it’s not the easiest location, but it’s very good for training.

What duties do you have: air, hotel, ground? And how do you go about taking care of arrangements, example how was the hotel picked?

Johan knew the hotel; he has been there before. So, I just had to book it. Other than that I have to arrange the flights, pretty much the same as usual, there’s not really a difference in booking a flight for a race or a training camp.

Then I had to book the rental cars & set everything up with the hotel (arrivals & departures, bus transfer etc)

Do you plan other non-riding events for the guys while at camp—like wine tasting or paint ball, something different?

During the camp we will do some activities, going out for dinner, do some teambuilding activities, but Jared is arranging that.

What is the hardest part about getting ready for the camp?

Nothing is really hard, but there are often changes, like who is coming, or changing the dates. So I just have to pay attention. Like I said before, I still didn’t finish all the flights, because of the changes all the time.

Who is handling the bike and car/van logistics? When does that group head for Tenerife?

We decided, after checking some options, that the best way to get all the equipment in Tenerife was to ship it before the camp. The guys will bring their training bike from home, so the mechanics sent some work equipment & we also sent a few massage tables. 4 mechanics, 2 soigneurs & Duffy will go on Saturday the 29th to prepare everything – the rooms, install their equipment, check out the room where they’ll have to work…The rest of the team will go on Sunday, December 1st, including me.

Do you look forward to going? Is it a bit of a vacation for you?

I’m looking forward to it. Now that I live in Spain, I don’t see the guys so often anymore. And it’s also nice to meet the new guys. And of course the weather is still nice there, so it will also be a bit of a small vacation.

Can you tell us a little bit about the location and also about the hotel?

Tenerife is one of the Canary Islands, there is a volcano, the Teide, and so the guys can train in altitude.The hotel is close to the beach, it is a very nice hotel.

We have some new riders—any special “team building” exercises planned to make the new guys feel welcome?

We are going to do 2 teambuilding activities, so the guys will have the chance to integrate in the group.

Are there any riders not attending the camp?

No, all the riders will be present, although we only could confirm them all this week. Some of the riders were having visa problems, but in the end it worked out well , so they can all come.

Once you are at camp what are your duties then?

During the camp I will assist wherever needed – that is helping to get the directors any documents that they might need, be in contact with the hotel reception/management if we have any needs.Other than that, I will do my regular job while the guys are on training.

At the same time you prepare for this camp, are you also working on the February camp? How is that coming along?

Yes, although I just booked the hotel; other than that, I didn’t do a lot yet. I might start booking the flights next week. Other preparations like booking the rental cars etc will be handled after the Tenerife camp.I am already working on the Tour Down Under – we already booked the flights & hotel and did the race registration.

Next week we’ll have exclusive looks inside the camp as everyone gets together for the first time to kick off the 2009 Team Astana racing season.