Tour of Flanders, Giro d'Italia, Tour de France and Olympic Games all in Jan Tratnik's plans - "An extremely busy schedule"

Team Visma | Lease a Bike has signed Jan Tratnik into 2023 and he has since become a key member of the team. This year, he is set to support the likes of Jonas Vingegaard, Wout van Aert, Olav Kooij and many more throughout a very busy season.

"I built up slowly and quietly, sometimes with some interval training, sprints and longer rides. In December we had nine wonderful days in Spain, that time flew by. I celebrated Christmas and New Year's Eve in Slovenia, although I got sick and couldn't really enjoy it," Tratnik tells In de Leiderstrui. "I took a forced break and noticed that I was better prepared in January. From then on things got really serious, with training, rest, nutrition and a lifestyle dedicated to cycling. I trained for four to six and a half hours every day, from high to low intensity. I have also been running since October and have now mixed that into my program. Mainly to strengthen the knee, but also for a good start to the day."

The Slovenian is a very versatile rider, and one who is very valuable and important in the Dutch team's plans. After a few years as a stage hunter with Bahrain - Victorious he has taken on a new role in his career, and the feedback looks nothing but positive. He has helped the team towards victories at the Vuelta a Burgos and Vuelta a España.

He will start his season in Spain, and afterwards race the Volta ao Algarve and the Opening weekend. Afterwards he travels to altitude with the Wout van Aert group for the cobbled classics. "After that I will go to altitude on the Teide and ride the E3, Dwars door Vlaanderen, the Tour of Flanders and then the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France. I also hope to qualify for the Olympic Games," he tells.

Effectively, a very busy year awaits Tratnik. "An extremely busy schedule. I was happy when I was told where I would be racing and I can't wait to get started," he admits. "Winter is over, the form is good and I want to test myself in the first games. Until then, it's hard training."