Head of nutrition Nigel Mitchell feels correct diet and hydration will be vital to Team Sky's performance at the Tour de France.
Correct diet and hydration vital for success
When Team Sky's Tour de France stars line up for the prologue on 3 July, ahead of them will be three weeks of intense action which will test them to their very limit.
Over 21 stages, the riders will cover a whopping 3600 kilometres and climb some of the most formidable peaks Europe has to offer. They will burn approximately 6750 calories on every stage and consume a massive 10 litres of fluid.
Keeping the team sufficiently fuelled during that time will be pivotal in their drive for success and head of nutrition Nigel Mitchell feels he has the best possible tools at his disposal to ensure they remain in peak physical condition from beginning to end.
Over the past months, Mitchell has worked closely with his marginal gains team, as well as experts from Gatorade's Sports Science Institute and nutritional supplier CNP, to formulate a comprehensive programme which he hopes will keep Team Sky one step ahead of their rivals.
He said: "After speaking to a number of riders who had ridden Grand Tours before, it quickly became clear that bloated stomachs were a major complaint for many of them.
"These stemmed largely from poor fuelling and we were determined that would not be a problem for our riders.
"We developed a nutrition programme which was tested at the Giro d'Italia and it included high-carbohydrate foods such as paninis being consumed during the first half of every stage, followed by gels and energy drinks to keep the riders fuelled late on.
"The caffeinated gels we used were developed specifically for us by CNP, which not only gave the riders a quick boost, but also maintained their energy levels and mental alertness. With Gatorade's help as well, we were pleased to find that dehydration did not affect the team at all. However, we are aware the Tour de France could be much warmer, so we need to take this into account."
Competitive edge
Since then Team Sky and CNP have developed a new non-caffeinated gel for the Tour which they hope will provide a sustained energy boost as an alternative to the original gels.
CNP founder Kerry Kayes explained: "The team needed another gel which didn't risk giving the riders a temporary boost which was followed by an energy flat. This new gel will give them a longer energy lift and can be used as often as they like."
The results so far have certainly proved popular with everyone in the team but Mitchell is not resting on his laurels and wants to ensure that Team Sky stay at the forefront of any future advances.
He concluded: "This has been a really successful partnership for everyone but we are already planning exciting future projects that we believe will help give us the competitive edge."
Team Sky make their Tour de France debut in Rotterdam on 3 July.
