While the European season gets underway, Gerolsteiner's Markus Fothen has been busy training in the mountains near Tenerife, preferring the favourable conditions offered by the southern climate. "The altitude at the hotel is approximately 2,100 metres and the area offers outstanding conditions for tough training," said Fothen, who is preparing for the start of his season. "I've had very good experiences with the conditions here. Moreover I'd have to push snow if I were at comparable heights in the Alps at the moment. Here it's sunny and mild, which is perfect," he continued.
On Wednesday he'll be joined by teammates Heinrich Haussler and Ronny Scholz, who'll also train in the area, but not on the same routes as Fothen. Their 2006 season begins in Spain on February 26 with the "Clasica Almeria" and the subsequent Tour of Murcia (March 1-5).
