August 18, 2010 – The Czech Republic’s top ski racer, Lukas Bauer, is a two-time winner of Tour de Ski and an Olympic medalist from Vancouver. He was on the way to Obertiliach for a training camp when fiscrosscountry.com asked him a few questions about his training and plans for upcoming weeks.

When do you train now? Do you carry out dry-land workouts?
Lukas Bauer: The first part of summer training finished on 28th July. It was filled with running, biking, rollerskiing, strength workouts and couple of MTB races and one X-Terra race (triathlon). Swimming is my weakest discipline in triathlon but I was happy with my performance.

Did you also carry out some skiing sessions?
LB: Yes, I did. In that time we spent two out of every three days in the Ski tunnel in Oberhof. Then I took one week off and went with my family to Rhodes. I did not train much there (laughs).

I heard you were hiking in Slovakia…
LB: Yes, you are right. Right after when we returned from Rhodes I went with Jiri Horcicka and Ondra Horyna for three days to Tatra Mountains. We had the best mountain guide – Martin Bajcicak. For three days we were hiking in the mountains. Weather was wonderful and we enjoyed it a lot.

How did you get back to training pace?
LB: When I came back I had a few weeks to get back to training rhythm. We have a club training camp right now in Obertilliach. We will stay there till 29 August. Then I will train at home for the first half September. Our first training camp in Dachstein will follow right after.

Are you happy with your training development?
LB: Everything has been according the plan so far. My training process has not been interrupted by any illness or injury so I hope it will continue so. I am also happy with my technique development. When I started the summer preparation I wanted to focus on speed. This change has brought results and it has my training that extra oomph. We have been working on shorter sections and now they will grow longer. I do like training but of course sometimes I feel tired. It makes me stronger and be ready for the final stage of the Tour (laughs).

You have taken part in several MTB and triathlon races. Do you plan some more?
LB: As I will be at the club camp until the end of August it won’t be possible. I may do a race in Septmber but I doubt that.

No rollerski races? Some of your teammates were at Toppidrettsveka.
LB: I know they were there. I did miss that. I would like to take part in that race some day, but for this season I did not plan to start at any rollerski races.

Have you had time to think about next season?
LB: You know, I think about next season when the old one ends. My goal is to be top three at Tour de Ski and then naturally World Champs in Oslo. I do not have an exact plan of which races I will take part in. Cross-Country department of the Czech Ski Association has not set a schedule where the national team will go. That is one of the reasons I still have not signed the contract with Czech Ski Association but I believe it will be solved in upcoming weeks.

What about your team? Are there any changes?
LB: In my closest team there are no changes. Mira Petrasek is my coach, Vit Fousek my serviceman and Martin Koldovsky is still my doctor.

How much time do you spend at home?
LB: I try to be and train at home in Bozi Dar as often as possible. I carried out most of the training at home. In autumn, however, it will be the opposite.