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A carbohydrate revolution is speeding up pro cycling

velo.outsideonline.com

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Re: A carbohydrate revolution is speeding up pro cycling

#11

Post by rokob »

heymijo wrote: post #6

> "Riders are able to eat so many carbohydrates on the bike now, almost twice as much as before." > “But what has changed is the way riders get their glycogen fix. New formulations from nutrition brands like Maurten, Precision Fuel and Hydration, and Science in Sport means the age-old carb “ceiling” of 60-90 grams per hour has been blown into another orbit.” “Consumption thresholds have been shifted thanks to “hydrog…

I believe this is just referring to the glucose:fructose ratio now being closer to 1:1 than what it used to be. In the old days people only looked at glucose and the 60g/hr limit is more or less for that metabolic pathway. Fructose takes a different path so you can easily go to 120g if you are using a 1:1 mix. Also the old 60g/hr limit isn’t universal so that is how you get some people that can handle 150g+

Re: A carbohydrate revolution is speeding up pro cycling

#12

Post by ImprovedSilence »

bluedevil2k wrote: post #3

> How has the peloton gotten so fast? This question in the article is almost comically naive. In the most drug-filled sport in history, with its most famous athlete a known drug cheat, the answer to this isn’t “carbohydrates”, it’s almost assuredly “drugs not being tested for”.

I’m not going to disagree with the sentiment that drugs are speeding up the peleton. but >>” most drug filled sport”. comes off as probably naive. o think footbal, hockey, soccer, or baseball are are more clean is laughable, they just dont test for anything EVER, except maybe steroids every so often. id bet my bottom dollar all those pro sports with $$$$ flying around HAMMER any drug cocktail that might get them the edge. its just not tested or as public as pro cycling.

Re: A carbohydrate revolution is speeding up pro cycling

#13

Post by lincoln20xx »

Drugs are a big part of the "how are people going faster for longer" equation, of course.

But in an endurance context, adequate fuelling is likely even more important than a new magic drug, because it doesn't matter how many drugs you take if you don't replenish your energy reserves. You can have the biggest engine in the world, or the most efficient, but once you run out of fuel, it's not going anywhere.

For those nearing the pointy end of strength sports, drugs are generally seen as a 10-15% boost for high intermediate level lifters, and single digit for advanced/expert.

When the difference between first place and not ending up on the board is sometimes 1-3%, the drugs are mandatory.

But everything else has to be there as well. Drugs don't replace hard work, dedication, and proper nutrition - they augment it.

If you safely can consume 10% more calories hourly than your competitors in a long endurance race, that means you can burn more calories and put out more average power than everyone else who is likely on a very similar drug cocktail.

Re: A carbohydrate revolution is speeding up pro cycling

#15

Post by Gualdrapo »

bluedevil2k wrote: post #3

> How has the peloton gotten so fast? This question in the article is almost comically naive. In the most drug-filled sport in history, with its most famous athlete a known drug cheat, the answer to this isn’t “carbohydrates”, it’s almost assuredly “drugs not being tested for”.

> its most famous athlete a known drug cheat

I'd bet you're thinking about Lance Armstrong, and arguably that person would be Eddy Merckx - but the funny thing is that with either one that premise holds true

Re: A carbohydrate revolution is speeding up pro cycling

#16

Post by plorg »

heymijo wrote: post #6

> "Riders are able to eat so many carbohydrates on the bike now, almost twice as much as before." > “But what has changed is the way riders get their glycogen fix. New formulations from nutrition brands like Maurten, Precision Fuel and Hydration, and Science in Sport means the age-old carb “ceiling” of 60-90 grams per hour has been blown into another orbit.” “Consumption thresholds have been shifted thanks to “hydrog…

I think the author is also try to describe how cyclists train and how recent findings about recovery allow athletes to be constantly consuming calories. But the article is vague and repetitive and it's hard to know exactly what the author is trying to say.

Re: A carbohydrate revolution is speeding up pro cycling

#18

Post by pengaru »

Manfred wrote: post #9
zemvpferreira wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Lance Armstrong was USADA tested 60 times, and likely hundreds more by other organizations, without a single positive. It's all drugs.

The fact that someone cheated the system in the past is in no way proof that the same thing is happening now.

Proof, no, but the best predictor of future behavior we have is past behavior.

Re: A carbohydrate revolution is speeding up pro cycling

#19

Post by Dylan16807 »

Manfred wrote: post #9
zemvpferreira wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Lance Armstrong was USADA tested 60 times, and likely hundreds more by other organizations, without a single positive. It's all drugs.

The fact that someone cheated the system in the past is in no way proof that the same thing is happening now.

Of course it's not proof of cheating, but it is strong evidence not to trust the testing unless something very fundamental has changed.

And your argument strongly depends on accurate testing.

Re: A carbohydrate revolution is speeding up pro cycling

#20

Post by JauntyHatAngle »

ImprovedSilence wrote: post #12
bluedevil2k wrote: post #3

> How has the peloton gotten so fast? This question in the article is almost comically naive. In the most drug-filled sport in history, with its most famous athlete a known drug cheat, the answer to this isn’t “carbohydrates”, it’s almost assuredly “drugs not being tested for”.

I’m not going to disagree with the sentiment that drugs are speeding up the peleton. but >>” most drug filled sport”. comes off as probably naive. o think footbal, hockey, soccer, or baseball are are more clean is laughable, they just dont test for anything EVER, except maybe steroids every so often. id bet my bottom dollar all those pro sports with $$$$ flying around HAMMER any drug cocktail that might get them the…

Doping is probably still common, but the more endurance or speed based the more drugs help.

Soccer values attributes drugs exaggerate - but it has a skill component that is more important vs cycling. Soccer also has breaks and substitutes and ways to slow the game down to close the gap.

I'm not ignorant to the tactics and technique required in cycling, but its a smaller part of the sport vs tactics and skill in football.

So it's not as important to dope. But yes, still happens.

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