Austria's Nordic combined athletes gathered in Mallorca, with cycling featuring heavily on the trip ©Getty Images

Austria's Nordic combined national team has begun its collective pre-season preparations with the emphasis heavily on cycling in Mallorca.

Athletes had undertaken some individual cross-country skiing training until the end of April, but the team came together on the Balearic island, which is part of Spain.

Guided by Austrian former professional cyclist Andreas Traxl-Pintarelli, Nordic combined athletes cycled for up to 200 kilometres each day in the warm temperatures.

Christoph Eugen, who is set to enter his 11th season as Austria's Nordic combined head coach, underlined the importance of variety in pre-season preparations.

"At this time of year, we always have a conditioning week on the programme," Eugen said.

"With long endurance sessions, we want to lay a solid foundation for training and for a strenuous season.

"In the last few years, we have always been in South Tyrol and on the upper Adriatic, this year we wanted to bring in a little variety with Mallorca.

"The weather here is very stable and the laps on the racing bike are a dream. 

"Afterwards there is always time to cool off in the pool and sea.

"It is very important for the athletes to have a little variety alongside their training.

"With the exception of the two Styrians Franz-Josef Rehrl [due to an internship with the police] and Martin Fritz, who just got married, we are here with the entire first training group,

Lukas Greiderer won a Nordic combined bronze for Austria in the men's individual normal hill-10km event at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics ©Getty Images
Lukas Greiderer won a Nordic combined bronze for Austria in the men's individual normal hill-10km event at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics ©Getty Images

Men's large hill-10 kilometres world champion Johannes Lamparter spoke highly of the camp in Mallorca.

"It's my first time in Mallorca and I really like it," he said.

"There are very cool tracks here in a great environment.

"The legs are still heavy on the first rides, but that gets better from day to day.

"April was rather mixed for me as I was often a little battered and sick.

"Since May I've been training again and I feel really fit.

"We are currently doing a lot of different things to lay a good foundation, be it hiking, mountain biking or, like here, racing bikes.

"I'm starting the new preparation with a lot of joy, since my self-confidence from last season is great."

Lukas Greiderer won a bronze medal in Nordic combined for Austria in the men's individual normal hill-10km event at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

Planica in Slovenia is set to stage the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) Nordic Combined World Championships from February 24 to March 4 next year.

The FIS Nordic Combined World Cup season is due to begin in Ruka in Finland from November 25 to 28.