The preparation for the 2016 season continues and the Cofidis team is already facing the second pre-season training. From today until December 16, Luis Angel Maté and his teammates will be in the Catalan resort of Lloret de Mar for the first long meeting after a small gathering in Lyon in November.

"It's the first training camp where the bike will be our focus," says Maté in a press release. The team will be divided into groups and have room to do a bit of everything: "Depending on who has started before the pre-season schedule and what we have done until now, some will work more and others will work with less intensity," he explains. Furthermore, the riders will make the schedule for the first part of the season.

There will also be room for common activities. "There is always a day when everybody, riders and coaches, do some activity together, orienteering or whatever. That builds team spirit and promotes coexistence,” Maté says. The new equipment will also be presented. "There are always new things. We do a first development of the bikes and we familiarize ourselves with the new components." Overall Maté expects a good 'working meeting' for the French team which will continue with Nacer Bouhanni as the clear leader.

For his part, Maté continues to do pre-season work and training in Marbella. "For now, everything goes very well. I've done more than 2,500 kilometers," he says, adding that the feelings at this point are really good. "Everything is in order at the moment, everything is in place.” The good sensations obviously also gives him peace of mind and confidence to continue taking steps towards his ninth year as a pro. "I stopped early and therefore also started earlier than usual but I feel really good and that really gives me the desire to make use of all the good work in competition."

Before he gets to the first race, the Cofidis team will have a third training camp. It will, like last year, be held in the eastern town of Oliva from January 14-21. It will be the last step before racing starts for the French team.