LifeCycle Challengers were given a unique chance to experience the conditions they will be facing next month, thanks to a four-day training camp organised by Emirates.

The airline offered complimentary flights to Larnaka in Cyprus and organised a stay in Cyprus Villages' traditional holiday apartments in Kalavasos, four kilometres from the coast and on the edge of a range of Troodos Mountains leading to Asgata.

Sixteen cyclists and six members of the back-up team flew out on Friday and after settling in, reassembled their bikes and started planning for life on the road.

Saturday started with a team building session and a briefing by the challenge's physiotherapist.

The first day took them along some excellent cycling routes, but the 100 kilometre route proved to be a massive endurance test as the temperature soared once they had left the coast and, at quite high degrees, tested their motivation and discipline, as they needed to be very aware of the dangers of dehydration and heat-stroke.

As will happen on the actual challenge next month, the back-up teams were spread along the route to replenish the cyclists with water and food, getting them through the grueling ride without serious mishaps.

On Sunday, the back-up team were up at dawn, preparing breakfast in the village square, and the cyclists got off to an early start, covering dozens of kilometers in the mountains before the heat got to its peak.

The team returned to Malta last Monday.

The Betfair LifeCycle Challenge will take place in mid-August, with the participants cycling 2,000 kilometres from Prague to Sarajevo.

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