Cycling Utah recently did an in-depth interview with First Endurance to discuss the company history, philosophy, challenges, successes and much, much more.  Check it out here: View Article

1st Endurance is heading to  the Team Colombia training camp in Mallorca, Spain from January 6-15 to work (and ride) with the team for ten days.  We’ll be posting frequent updates, photos, daily riding details, interviews, etc… here.  If you have questions for any of the guys/girls on the team, post them on the blog and we’ll do our best to get them answered for you.

About Team Columbia

Team Columbia is the number one ranked professional cycling team in the world. They won more races in 2008 than any other team, with 29 different riders winning at least one race - a stunning demonstration of true team work that is a unique attainment in pro cycling. The men’s team won 85 races including six stages in the Tour de France, four stages of the Giro d’Italia and multiple overall tour wins. Team Columbia Women won 69 races and the overall World Cup Series.  

Happy Holidays,

First Endurance EFS Liquid Shot

This lightly sweetened energy concentrate (available only in vanilla flavor) with a creamy consistency is easier to swallow and digest than gel, especially in cold weather when gels tend to thicken.  We liked the no-mess closable spout that lets you  take as much as needed per workout.  Each refillable flask has 400 calories, over 1500mg of electrolytes and 1000mg of amino acids.

Tomorrow, Alberto Contador will arrive in Tenerife and begin to prepare for a new season with Team Astaná. Contador has has a smooth recovery from his deviated septum operation last Monday. The first few days of camp he will focus his activities in the gym and hopes to join the team for a training ride on Thursday.

How has this winter been?

Very busy due to the Giro and Vuelta victories. I have had many commitments and I have not been able relax as much as I had wanted, but I am in a good mental state. As soon as I recover from the operation I will ride again and concentrate on training for 2009.

Are you excited for the training camp?

Yes, I am excited to meet the new and returning teammates and to begin to plan for the season.

What do you expect from this first camp?

Mainly it will be good to build a good foundation. We don’t have any pressure and we can really work on the team morale. We will start now to make a strong group for the 2009 season.

What do you see for Team Astana in 2009?

The team of this year is very good and big reinforcements have joined the team. Haimar Zubeldia’s a very talented rider - we don’t need any more words to describe him. He can play a fundamental part in the three weeks races. Another great addition is Popovych. He worked very hard in the 2007 Tour and I was very happy to learn that he will be my teammate again. And then we have another rider I know quite well - Jesús Hernández. He is my training partner and I know he will certainly help the team.

And also Lance Armstrong arrives. What will be his contribution to the team?

Without a doubt, his great experience. He has been able to win seven Tours and with that comes a great physical and mental power. His contribution will be very positive for the team and a fundamental part of our success. We are uncertain of his full race schedule, but I am convinced he will help make the team very strong.

Which objective you have marked yourself for this year?

Without a doubt, the Tour de France. It is the biggest race in the world, the one that changed my life. Since I could not be there in 2008, I will make it my goal for 2009. I already know that it will be very difficult to win - The great riders who compete to win plus the obstacles that come up through 21 days of competition, but I will fight to the maximum to achieve it. Since the Tour is in the summer, I will go easier in the beginning.

Besides Tour, do you have some other objective to get this season?

Yes, I also want to work on my time-trial position and continue to decrease my time. It is one of my aspirations for the season. I also just hope to continue enjoying my time on the bike.

What continues to motivate you?

To achieve the objectives that I mark myself. I like to set objectives and then train to achieve them. I like to give everything to obtain the best result in competition and then, I also like to rest, both physically and psychologically. The competition takes a toll on both!