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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

#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”.

Re: A carbohydrate revolution is speeding up pro cycling

#5

> 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”.

That seems like an unfair response. There are certainly still drugs in the peloton and there are a lot of teams trying to stretch the gray areas. But given the amount of testing and verification of those tests by reputable journalists it's unlikely that it would have the same impact it did in the early 2000's.

Training methods and nutrition have made a large impact on all levels of cycling in the past 10 years, and from personal experience I know that's certainly not all drugs.

Re: A carbohydrate revolution is speeding up pro cycling

#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 “hydrogel” delivery models and new glucose-fructose ratios that ensure what goes down, stays down.”

I would have liked to see some actual details about the carbohydrate changes that have made the increased tolerance so much larger.

I looked at the three brands mentioned and the actual carbohydrate sources listed were tried and true things like maltodextrin [1], maltodextrin/fructose [2], and glucose/fructose [3].

I thought I might see something like highly branched cyclic dextrin. Since it doesn't seem to be any new form of carbohydrate, I'm curious what ancillary ingredients and/or ratios are proving to be the difference maker(s).

[1] https://www.scienceinsport.com/eu/go-isotonic-energy-gels-si... [2] https://www.precisionhydration.com/us/en/products/pf-30-gel/ [3] https://www.maurten.com/products/gel-160-us

Re: A carbohydrate revolution is speeding up pro cycling

#7
post #4

So many words but so little actual information as to how the increased consumption is now possible.

Well, they realized that 40 grams per hour was not enough and you can actually absorb more. Then they experimented with mixing various carbohydrates (eg. adding fructose) and found a better balance. They also found out that you have to train your intestines to absorb the mix.

Re: A carbohydrate revolution is speeding up pro cycling

#8
post #5

> 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”.

That seems like an unfair response. There are certainly still drugs in the peloton and there are a lot of teams trying to stretch the gray areas. But given the amount of testing and verification of those tests by reputable journalists it's unlikely that it would have the same impact it did in the early 2000's. Training methods and nutrition have made a large impact on all levels of cycling in the past 10 years, and f…

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

It's all drugs.

Re: A carbohydrate revolution is speeding up pro cycling

#9
post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That seems like an unfair response. There are certainly still drugs in the peloton and there are a lot of teams trying to stretch the gray areas. But given the amount of testing and verification of those tests by reputable journalists it's unlikely that it would have the same impact it did in the early 2000's. Training methods and nutrition have made a large impact on all levels of cycling in the past 10 years, and f…

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.

Re: A carbohydrate revolution is speeding up pro cycling

#10

> 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”.

this is absolutely the right answer to the question

that the peloton can go faster now that it did in the worst of the EPO years is a dire reminder that it'll always be a race between cheaters and the doctors that come up with reliable tests

other ludicrous explanations coming from people that make a living from the cycling industry is "improvement in bike technology" (which then again is absolutely laughable)

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