If it were a car, I'd say "running in" although a lot of people won't remember that you had to do this to a new engine!

Or "proper going over". It's the right kind of experience.

Of course 'rehearsal' isn't the translation of 'rodaje' but I think it could fit.

Smith told BBC Radio 5 live: "The focus isn't at all on medals, it's about preparing in the right way for the Olympic Games in the summer. This is a good rehearsal in terms of atmosphere and pressure.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/olympics/18195857

But this was a good test, and the British passed it with ease.
"This full rehearsal has been a blessing in disguise for this team," said Eddie van Hoof, British men's technical director. "Although we'd rather not have had to do it."

http://deportesus.terra.com/road-to-2012/noticias/0,,OI55530...

rodaje
De rodar y -aje.
1. m. Antiguamente, período de uso de un motor, particularmente el de un automóvil, en que debía utilizarse de forma moderada hasta conseguir el correcto ajuste de todos sus elementos.
2. m. Preparación, aprendizaje, práctica.
3. m. Conjunto de ruedas. El rodaje de un reloj.
4. m. Impuesto o arbitrio sobre los carruajes.
5. m. Proceso de grabación de una acción televisiva o cinematográfica.

http://dle.rae.es/?id=WaUSMwR

Figuratively speaking, "rodaje" in this context means "training"

In that context, they are referring to the extra training and preparation that they (athletes) will require for the Pre-Olympics.

If we examine very carefully the previous sentence, the interviewee responded that they would have to take the Pre-Olympics as a preparation as the level of competition in the Pre-Olympics is really high. Then the interviewee continued saying that "Nos daría mucho más rodaje el Preolímpico..."
Under this context, I would suggest that "rodaje" is meaning "training" as suggested by Wordreference.