Feb 21st, 10. As he prepares for his first race with RadioShack, Kiwi Sam Bewley gave RoadCycling.co.nz an update on his 2nd training camp, team initiation, race plans and more.

Sam Bewley with Team RadioShack ©Graham Watson

I have just finished up my second training camp with the team, last week in Calpe, Spain. This time it was a camp all about training, a little different to the first one we had in December.

I really enjoyed this camp, It was ten days with, of course, some very solid and long days on the bike. But I really felt like I had a lot more to do with everyone in the team this camp.

I think because I am starting to get to know everyone I am really starting to feel like part of the team and have started to develop some friendships with the guys.

What was this training camp focused on?

The camp was basically about getting into shape for the season, which has started for most and starts for me next weekend.  

We were basically just riding between four and six hours each day with some days including some more specific training sessions.  It was pretty cool just to get a big ten days under my belt with these guys. Training together in nice weather also makes it seem easier.  Although ... it wasn't really that easy some days.

Can you share a funny story from camp?

Bjorn Selander and Sam Bewley lead the way in a training ride in Calpe, Spain ©Graham Watson

I don't really buy into that stuff, it's like what you see in the movies, American pie or something. But this seemed like a bit of harmless fun and I didn't have any problem doing it.

I don't want to go into depth of it though. It was funny, we got had, everyone saw it, I mean everyone in the restaurant.

And it involved some eggs.

I'll just leave it at that, there might be people riding for RadioShack next year who read this and it will be my turn to get them. So I better not divulge too much info.

Are you still doing two one day classics then Tour of Murcia?

I'm heading north tomorrow to the north pole by the sounds (Belgium) for my first couple of races, Het Volk and Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne. Saturday and Sunday.

After that I'll be staying in Belgium for four days with Clinton Avery before joining back up with the team for a small tour, 3 Days of West Flanders. So not the Tour of Murcia like first planned. Then I'll be straight out the night of the last stage and joining up with the NZ track team for the World Champs.

What are you looking forward to about your first race with the pro-tour team next weekend?

I can't wait to race my first pro race, with my first pro-tour team.

I rode with Roly [Hayden Roulston] today and basically he said, as soon as you see it all - the fans, the team buses all that stuff - you will realise pretty quickly why we do this. So I'm excited about that!

Sunshine in Spain for team training ©Graham Watson

I am excited to race hard too. To help the team, we have some good guys so it will be nice to help someone get a result.

I said to Roly, I'm just going to go full gas and see what happens. So, I'll let you know!

Is the European weather as bad as everyone is saying it is?

The weather here in Spain, Girona is pretty good. The first couple days were cold and raining, then we had two days of sunshine and warm. Today was a little colder but no worries for training.  

Belgium on the other hand........Eeeeekkk.