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Stephen Roche Cycling
Legendary riding with a legend
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When you think of the island of Mallorca the first thing that comes to mindis the combination of sun, sea and sand.
This Mediterranean treasure perched off Spain’s eastern coast has a world-renowned reputation for beautiful beaches and 24-hour nightlife. But Mallorca attracts more than just party animals and beach bunnies. For years now, professional cycling teams from across Europe have used this 1420-square mile island as a training-camp site.
With a perfect variety of roads — hilly, flat and everything in between —and near perpetual sunshine, Mallorca provides a perfect destination forany cycling enthusiast.
That’s why Stephen Roche has chosen this as the home for Stephen Roche CyclingCamps.
“Mallorca has the ideal combination of climate and terrain,” says Roche,who visits the camp and rides with clients every weekend.
Roche should know. During the gregarious Irishman’s illustrious career hejoined the legendary Eddy Merckx as the only riders to pull off cycling’striple crown, winning the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and the world championships all in the same year.
Today Roche’s operation is based at the beautiful Ponent Mar Hotel, whichfaces the sea, just 150 meters from the Palma Nova beach, and 11 kilometerswest of the island’s capital city of Palma. Each day organized rides departfrom the hotel with group leaders who carry mobile phones at all times forsafety. The trips range from 50 to 130 kilometers and food and refreshmentsare provided along the route by a trailing assistance car.
Every afternoon after 5p.m. the trips for the following day are listed backat the hotel on the big white notice board in the garage. Each route is mappedout along with information about difficulty and distance. If you’re lookingto take it easy, sign up for one of the leisure rides, which typically cover30 to 40 kilometers over quiet coastal roads. If you want to get the heartrate pumping a little higher, put your name down for one of the challengingexcursions. These rides are usually between 80 and 100 kilometers with atleast a few moderate climbs.
If you’re looking to be a little closer to the action, Stephen Roche CyclingCamps has you covered there, too. Next summer clients can sign up to joinRoche and his team during the 10 most exciting days of the centennial Tourde France. There you’ll get the chance to watch Lance Armstrong chase history,as he tries to become just the second man to win five straight Tours.
Stephen Roche is also offering guests the opportunity to stay at his RocheMarina Hotel on the French Riviera. There you will get the chance to exploreCannes, Nice and Monaco.
2 0 0 3 S C H E D U L E
Spring Mallorca Camps: Feb. 1-May 25
French Riviera: Jan. 11-May 31
Tour de France: July 18-27
Fall Mallorca Camps: Oct. 4-Nov. 1
S T E P H E N R O C H E C Y C L I N G C A M P S
C/Mazagan 61
07014 Palma De Mallorca
Baleares, Spain
Telephone: 011/34-971-28-96-69
Fax: 011/34-971-28-54-00
E-mail: vbaleares@servibal.es
Web: www.sroche.com
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