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This year looks like being a crucial one for talented American rider Tom Danielson as he moves from the now-defunct Saturn team to Fassa Bortolo. After a 2003 season that saw him win the Tour de Langkawi and defend his Mt Washington hill-climb title, the latter part of his season was marred by injury. After spending the off-season fixing those injuries he has high hopes for a 2004 with the top team in the world. He also hopes to master the Italian keyboard!
January 24, 2004 - A new team and a new home
Hello all and welcome to the 2004 season. Right now I am over in beautiful Grosetto, Italy, for Fassa Bortolo's first training camp. We are already seven days into it and it has been quite an experience for me. I love the team, the staff, everything...It is a dream! This year I will vow to write in more consistently so you all can follow everything I go through. I am very excited for this adventure and now I find myself right smack in the middle.
Upon arriving here in Italy I had to move into my new place. I am renting a place in Lugo, Italy, which is very close to where my new boss lives. I think he wanted me under his wing a bit this year, and after seeing the area, I have no problem with that. Lugo is a rather small town, much like Durango, but has millions of roads. Flat, rolling, and definitely my favourite, the mountains! My new apartment is more then I need. It is basically three levels, with a garage on the bottom. It is a quite area of town, which is perfect.
After settling in a bit, I travelled with the team to the 2004 team presentation. As you have seen from the photos, it was quite a big deal. This perhaps is time for the sponsors as they try to wow the media with lights, loud music, and famous athletes. As this was my first I will always remember it. Then after many good meals and fancy hotels we were off to Toscana for training camp.
Training camp is good. Hard training all day, rest and massage in the evening. We have every type of terrain here, so each ride has everything. Usually rolling with two or three long climbs. We do on average 160 km. a day, so a feel like I have accomplished something. And how I feel... I don't want to say too much, but things look good for this year. It will be a challenging year, but this is what I have dreamed of every day of my life. Now, I must give everything and do what I have been visualizing all those days riding Shalona in Durango with my peers. I will allow you to experience exactly what I go through each step of the way.
That's all for now as I am off for my massage, but I just want to thank all of you for your support! Also, the best of luck to all my friends who too are starting their new year and I hope you all accomplish your goals! Ciao for now!
Tom