PHOTO GALLERY: Team Tinkoff Training Camp

Tinkoff - Saxo 2015 - Training Camp - Gran Canaria - 10/12/2015 - Veduta - foto Ilario Biondi/BettiniPhoto©2015

(Photos: Luca Bettini/BettiniPhoto)

For most of us the early weeks of December are all about Christmas shopping, time well spent with family and perhaps, a little time off the bike. However, for the tradition bound Euro pro riders, tis the season for many of them to flock to warmer climes for some early season 2016 training camps. This is usually where new and old team riders meet & greet and the first of the team’s season strategy meetings are held.

Here are a handful of shots from the Tinkoff team camp recently held in the Canary Islands.

Tinkoff - Saxo 2015 - Training Camp - Gran Canaria - 10/12/2015 - Tinkoff - foto Luca Bettini/BettiniPhoto©2015 — The team got some limited edition team camp graphics from Sportful.

Tinkoff - Saxo 2015 - Training Camp - Gran Canaria - 10/12/2015 - Oleg Tinkov (Tinkoff - Saxo) - Peter Sagan (Tinkoff - Saxo) - foto Ilario Biondi/BettiniPhoto©2015 — After a season of reported ill will between mercurial team owner Oleg Tinkov and star rider Peter Sagan, it looks like they are still working together.

Tinkoff - Saxo 2015 - Training Camp - Gran Canaria - 10/12/2015 - Peter Sagan (Tinkoff - Saxo) - foto Luca Bettini/BettiniPhoto©2015 — The Tinkoff – Saxo camp kept riders like Peter Sagan busy off the bike as well.

Tinkoff - Saxo 2015 - Training Camp - Gran Canaria - 10/12/2015 - Sean Yates (Tinkoff - Saxo) - foto Ilario Biondi/BettiniPhoto©2015 — From the way back machine comes one of the more dynamic personalities to help manage the team. Sean Yates was a former 7-Eleven rider who also helps bring some much needed character to the sport.

Tinkoff - Saxo 2015 - Training Camp - Gran Canaria - 10/12/2015 - Ivan Basso (Tinkoff - Saxo) - Steve De Jongh (Tinkoff - Saxo) - foto Ilario Biondi/BettiniPhoto©2015 — After having to abandon this year’s Tour de France with testicular cancer, it’s great to see Ivan Basso (l) back on a bike.

Tinkoff - Saxo 2015 - Training Camp - Gran Canaria - 10/12/2015 - Alberto Contador (Tinkoff - Saxo) - foto Ilario Biondi/BettiniPhoto©2015 — Alberto Contador looks ready to roll for an other season of Grand Tour racing.