Team Smartstop Pro Cycling will be in the Amgen Tour of California this year, but the entire team is in Nevada City now for two weeks of training. Team member Chris Butler says it’s very similar to what football teams do at
training camp. They work on their skills, try to improve on their weaknesses, and forge strong relationships as a team working together, all leading up to their competing in the Amgen Tour of California starting May 10.
Butler, who is now 26, says he got his offer to turn pro in his last year of college, and his first race was the start of the tour of California in Nevada City in 2010.
So what’s it like to be racing cross state? Butler says every team will have a 
bus where they can rest, shower and change, and plot strategy, but they don’t really live on it.
The start of race day begins with a good breakfast and, during the day, the racers are continually fueling their bodies.
When it’s time to call it a day each rider will get a massage.
Butler says he is a good climber so he has really enjoyed the training rides up to the high country.
Butler’s Team, Smartstop Pro Cycling, was one of the top rated teams in North America in 2014. If you don’t get to see them around town during their two week training camp, they will be back in town May 11 for the start of day two of the Amgen Tour of California.
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