US-based Continental team Jelly Belly presented by Maxxis have come together for a pre-season training camp in California from February 23 to March 5. The 10-day camp gives the riders an opportunity to get to know one another and put in some longer training rides before their season starts at the San Dimas Stage Race at the end of this month. The 12-rider team started the camp in the coastal city of Carlsbad where they spent the first four days getting to know their sponsors, taking team photos, receiving media training and hosting an official team presentation. The team then travelled inland to Julian for the bulk of their long rides, which were routed throughout the surrounding area and into Borrego Springs. "We used the camp for getting to know everybody,? team director Danny van Haute told Cyclingnews. "There are six new riders on the team and we wanted to put in some long miles with some team time trial training."ADVERTISEMENT They are starting their 16th year on the circuit and have put together a young but competitive roster. Fred Rodriguez is the most experienced rider on the team and, at 41 years old, he is the exception when it comes to the team?s younger average age. Sean Mazich, 28, is the second oldest rider on the team but has been with Jelly Belly for the longest stretch of time at seven seasons. The rest of the riders are between the ages of 23 and 25 with returning riders Steve Fisher, Jonathan Freter, Jacob Rathe and Andrew Sjogren, and new signings Alexandr Braico, Gavin Mannion, Angus and Lachlan Morton, Joshua Berry and Nicolae Tanovitchii. "This year we have a young but a very experienced team," said Van Haute, who believes that this year?s team is the strongest in their 16-year history. You can read more at Cyclingnews.com

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