Squadra La Fuga enters it’s third year in 2017 and I am delighted to invite you to join the us.

Squadra La Fuga started in 2015 with a small number of riders to provide an experience similar to that which I experienced from my days as a professional. The importance of the team, the camaraderie, the focus on an important goal and most of all the enjoyment you get from improving year and year with a group of like minded friends are all core values behind Squadra.

In 2016 we started “Squadra Donna” which saw our first female members and in Linda Endicott became the most successful member of the Squadra thus far. Linda won her age group in the Granfondo Cambridgeshire and also the National Masters Road Race.

2016 also saw Squadra take part in the Granfondo Cambridgeshire with two of our riders winning their age category and around 12 riders qualifying for the World Granfondo Championships in Perth. Two riders made the journey to Perth with some good results which would have been better but for mechanicals and crashes.

Following on from last years successes and the rise in popularity of the Granfondo World Series means the focus for the 2017 Squadra program is on qualification for the World Championships in Albi, France.

Along the way there will be a few non qualification events such as the Strade Bianche in Tuscany for those needing a dose of gravel riding. The UK big events such as the Ride London and now the new Velo Birmingham also form a mainstay of the UK calendar.

Our aim is to enjoy riding as a team, improve our riding skills and condition throughout the year, to be in the thick of the action during races and most importantly have a whole lot of fun on the bike along the way. I hope you can join us.

Ian

Squadra La Fuga is a racing squad made up of our fastest customers. With the ultimate goal of qualifying for the World Championships and competing for your country there is plenty to aim for in 2017.

Riders will each target a European granfondo and a UK based event, taking on local French & Italian teams on the continent. Teams will enjoy support normally reserved for Professional riders, with a directeur sportif, a pro mechanic, soigneurs and on the road support.

Our experienced directeur sportif will assist with race strategy as we aim to be in the thick of the action of the race and get Squadra riders to qualify, win and represent their country. The essence of Squadra La Fuga is in being a team – eating, riding & celebrating together.

The Squadra Experience

The first get together will be a social occasion in the excellent Bocca di Lupo restaurant in Soho.

Here we will get to know new faces and welcome everyone to the 2017 program. We aim to do this on a mid week evening in January.

The aim of the evening is to introduce the whole program and schedule training rides and meet the coaches who will help you towards your 2017 goals

Chaingangs, training programs and rides, technical skills, nutrition and condition are all essential to get the most out of your riding. We’ll cover many of these during the evening as well tucking into a tasty Italian meal and giving you the opportunity to ask anything you like from our assembled experts.

Squadra Kick Off

Pre-Race Training

In previous years we’ve started the Squadra year off with a 24 hour training camp.

For 2017 we’ll have our training camp in Mallorca in late March.

The 3 day camp will give you the opportunity to hone your skills and tune your fitness. The camp will include:

• Sports testing to check your fitness levels

• Technical skills sessions covering :

Descending,

Close Bunch riding

Fast start granfondos - via chaingangs

Sprinting skills and practise

• Nutritional and coaching seminars

• Training and getting the most out of time available

The race program selected allows for Squadra riders to have multiple opportunities to qualify for the World Championships in France. The French qualifier is even on the same course as the Worlds. The Squadra race programme includes the following events:

• Granfondo Strade Bianche - Italy - 5th March

• Granfondo L’Albiegeoise - France - 28th May (Worlds Qualifier)

• Granfondo World Championships - France - 27th August

Squadra will also be competing in the UK at:

• The Tour of Cambridgeshire - 4th June (Worlds Qualifier)

• Ride London - 30th July

• Velo Birmingham - 24th September

NB. More events can be added if there is demand.

The Race Programme

One important aspect of training for your event is to make sure you get there in peak condition and ready to race.

2016 Squadra member, Keith Chanter, took his FTP up 20% with focussed and dedicated training. All of this whilst being UK CEO of a Fortune 500 company.

‘Grinta’ were responsible for the progress made by Keith. Simon Holt (brother of Ian) started ‘Grinta’ - a performance coaching consultancy to pass his experience in the professional ranks onto others in the form of improved performances. Simon is also Director Sportive to the successful UK pro team Pedal Heaven, (renamed Bike Channel Canyon in 2017).

Simon is joined in Grinta by Jake Hollins who is an expert Sports Scientist with a wealth of experience having recently assisted Alex Dowsett to his successful hour record.

Together, Jake and Simon will be assisting in the Mallorca camp, where the focus is on training and skills. Many riders struggle with the skills needed to get a good placing in a granfondo. With Squadra members targeting the World Championships in 2017 we want to be as prepared as possible. That includes handling the surges of pace in order to hang onto the group, technical descending skills and improved fitness levels.

Simon and Jake can work with you to create a unique performance plan to achieve your 2017 goals.

The Coaching & Skills

Squadra La Fuga Support PackageSquadra La Fuga membership includes:

• Cuore Squadra team kit including:

- jersey, shorts, cap, socks.

• Access to event programme

• 3 month pre-event training plan

• Training Rides and chaingangs throughout the year

• Social events throughout the year

£450

Event packages (detailed on next page) include:

• Single occupancy accommodation

• Full team support from DS, soigneurs & mechanic

• Fully supported warm up rides & massages

• Event entry

• Transfers to/from event locations

Optional additions to the main package:

• Additional kit (helmet, sunglasses, etc) - £ TBC

• Regular performance testing during the year - £ TBC

• Personal coaching - up to £150pcm

Not included in the package:

• Flights

• Some meals

• All alcoholic and soft drinks

• Travel insurance

• TrainingPeaks subscription

Squadra La Fuga Event PackageAll Squadra La Fuga events are priced individually and will be available shortly. Due to the popularity of the World Championships and qualifier events prices are still being confirmed.

Squadra La Fuga Granfondo Weekends:

• Strade Bianche - Italy - 5th March - 1599 Euros

• Granfondo L’Albiegeoise - France - 28th May (Worlds Qualifier) - TBC

• Granfondo World Championships - France - 27th August - TBC

Squadra La Fuga UK Events:

• The Tour of Cambridgeshire - 4th June (Worlds Qualifier) - TBC

• Ride London - 30th July - TBC

• Velo Birmingham - 24th September - TBC

Squadra La Fuga Social & Training Events:

• Kick off meal - Bocca di Lupo - TBC

• Mallorca long training weekend - Late March - TBC

RSVP to this invite by the 6th January 2017 with details ofwhich events you are interested in.

Actions for You

You will receive a confirmation email detailing your chosen events with an invoice and a request for additional information. Membership payment of £450 is required before our get together meal in late January to confirm your participation in Squadra.

I will speak to you all individually over the next few weeks giving you more details of our first get together.

If you have any questions, contact me at:

Mobile: 07846 093 441

Office: 0208 876 5665

Email: ian.holt@lafuga.cc

Web: www.lafuga.cc

What Happens Next

2016 Squadra La Fuga riders at the Granfondo Cambridgeshire where 12 riders qualified for the Granfondo World Championships