SOMERSAULTS, CRUSHING STRAVA AND GARY BUSEY: TALES FROM TEAM CAMP

He didn’t drop one of his famous acronyms; still, an impromptu roadside visit
from Oscar-nominated actor, Gary Busey, drew excitement from our entire
crew during a routine water break near Topanga Canyon.

Some riders were unsure who the actor was, fair considering their age, but all
got the chance to chat with Busey about their Cannondales, team goals, and
where they were headed that day.

When Busey asked what “Aevolo” meant, and learning the word had no
background story, he decided to give it one of his own.

“You know what I think? I think Aevolo means ‘inner strength,’ Busey told the
team. “You need a lot of inner strength to do what you do.”

And we couldn’t agree more. After some photos with the Lethal Weapon and
Point Break star, Busey went back to his Volvo, the ride restarted, and the staff
remained stunned.

Did we just meet Gary Busey?

“This place is wild,” mechanic Vincent Gee said.

Wild is a perfect way to describe Aevolo’s 2020 training camp in the foothills
of the Santa Monica mountains, home of some of the best training roads in the
country. Over a week, the 12-rider team dialed in their Cannondale SuperSlice
time trial bikes, challenged each other on well-known climbs like Rockstore on
Mulholland, Latigo Canyon, and Encinal Canyon and spent well-earned rest
days by the pool and at a nearby trampoline park.

Because almost half the team is new this year, the chance to spend the week
together, before the season kicks into high gear, was especially needed. Some
of the riders had the opportunity to race together at the Herald Sun Tour in
early February. This time around, all of the Aevolo family, including staff,
came together to prepare for another exciting year representing green and gold.

The icing on the cake arrived on the final day. Tyler Stites claimed the Strava
KOM on Latigo Canyon climb, Charles-Étienne Chrétien, recently 12th overall

at the Herald Sun Tour, took second, and Conor Schunk was third. Not an easy
feat! An indicator we’re ready for our upcoming European campaign?
Absolutely. 

From camp, the team will take part in the Tour of Normandy coming up March
23-29. It will be the first time Aevolo has traveled over the pond to race, and
we’re looking forward to the opportunities that lie ahead.