Revamping Legacy: How Pro Cycling is Addressing Its Past Struggles with Hunger and Ensuring Athletes’ Well-being

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Beyond Weight: The Shift in Cycling Performance to Raw Power

By [Your Name/Velo News Staff] – August 30, 2025

The obsession with rider weight in professional cycling is undergoing a dramatic shift. While extreme weight loss, exemplified by Pauline Ferrand-Prévot’s recent performance at the Tour de France Femmes, grabs headlines, the peloton is increasingly prioritizing power over kilograms.

For years,the performance equation in cycling revolved around maximizing watts per kilogram. However,leading nutritionists and team managers are recognizing that pushing riders to dangerously low weights can be detrimental to both performance and health.Søren lavrsen, head of nutrition at Visma-Lease a bike (the team supporting riders like Jonas Vingegaard, Marianne Vos, and Wout van Aert), explains the changing philosophy. “Our main focus is always on lifting watts. That’s always the first priority, especially the way racing is now. Cycling is so hard now that power is the most meaningful,for performance but also for health.”

Lavrsen emphasizes a phased approach: maximizing a rider’s power output before even considering weight reduction. “We do everything we can to raise a rider’s level as high as possible first. It’

What specific strategies are teams like INEOS Grenadiers employing to move beyond simply focusing on rider weight and towards a more holistic performance nutrition approach?

The Dark History: Acknowledging Past Nutritional Deficiencies in Pro Cycling

For decades, professional cycling carried a troubling undercurrent: a culture of extreme leanness often bordering on purposeful under-fueling. This wasn’t simply about achieving a low weight for climbing; it was, in many cases, a systemic issue of inadequate caloric intake and poor nutritional guidance. Terms like “riding on fumes” weren’t metaphors – they were often literal descriptions of how riders operated. This led to a host of problems, including:

Compromised Immune Systems: chronic energy deficits weaken the body’s defenses, making riders susceptible to illness.

Increased Risk of Injury: Reduced muscle mass and bone density increase vulnerability to crashes and overuse injuries.

Impaired Performance: While initially perceived as beneficial for power-to-weight ratio, long-term under-fueling ultimately diminishes overall performance capacity.

Eating Disorders: The pressure to maintain extremely low body weights contributed to the development of disordered eating patterns and, in certain specific cases, full-blown eating disorders.

The late 1990s and early 2000s, especially, saw a concerning trend. While doping was a major focus, the concurrent issue of nutritional neglect often went unaddressed.The focus was almost exclusively on power output, with little consideration for the physiological cost.

The Shift in Mindset: From Weight Obsession to Performance Nutrition

The turning point wasn’t a single event, but a gradual shift in understanding. Increased awareness of the long-term health consequences of under-fueling, coupled with advancements in sports science, began to challenge the old guard’s beliefs. Key factors driving this change include:

The Rise of Sports Nutritionists: Teams began hiring dedicated sports nutritionists, moving away from relying solely on team doctors with limited nutritional expertise. These specialists brought a scientific approach to fueling strategies.

Data-Driven Training: Power meters and physiological testing provided objective data demonstrating the link between adequate nutrition and improved performance. Riders and coaches could see the benefits of proper fueling.

Athlete Advocacy: Riders themselves started speaking out about the pressures they faced and the negative impact of restrictive diets. This created a demand for change from within the peloton.

UCI Regulations & Guidelines: The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) has implemented stricter regulations regarding rider weight and health monitoring, although enforcement remains a challenge. Minimum weight limits and regular health checks are now standard practice.

Modern Fueling Strategies: what Pro Cyclists Are Eating Now

Today’s pro cyclists benefit from highly individualized nutrition plans. Gone are the days of relying on gels and energy bars alone. A holistic approach now encompasses:

1. Macronutrient Optimization: A balanced intake of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, tailored to the rider’s training load and individual needs. Carbohydrates remain crucial for fueling high-intensity efforts, but protein intake is emphasized for muscle recovery and repair. Healthy fats support hormone production and overall health.
2. Micronutrient Focus: Addressing potential deficiencies in vitamins and minerals through targeted supplementation and a diverse diet. iron, calcium, and vitamin D are particularly important for cyclists.
3. hydration Protocols: Elegant hydration strategies, including electrolyte replacement, to prevent dehydration and maintain optimal performance.
4. Peri-Workout Nutrition: Strategic fueling before, during, and after training and races to maximize energy levels and accelerate recovery.This includes easily digestible carbohydrates and protein sources.
5. Gut Health Management: Recognizing the importance of a healthy gut microbiome for nutrient absorption and immune function. Probiotic supplementation and a diet rich in fiber are increasingly common.

Case Study: Team INEOS Grenadiers & Nutritional Innovation

Team INEOS Grenadiers (formerly Team Sky) has been at the forefront of performance nutrition for years. Their approach, heavily influenced by sports scientist Dr. Steve Peters,emphasizes not only what riders eat but also how they think about food. Key elements of their strategy include:

Personalized Meal Plans: Each rider receives a customized meal plan based on their physiological profile, training schedule, and race calendar.

On-Bike Fueling Systems: Sophisticated on-bike fueling systems ensure riders have access to the right nutrients at the right time during races.

Data Analysis & Optimization: Continuous monitoring of rider weight, body composition, and blood markers to fine-tune nutrition plans.

Emphasis on Whole Foods: Prioritizing whole, unprocessed foods whenever possible, alongside targeted supplementation.

This commitment to nutritional excellence has undoubtedly contributed to their consistent success in Grand Tours