Lotto Intermarché conducts research on high-carbohydrate intake for cyclists

The Lotto Intermarché cycling team is collaborating with researchers from Ghent University to investigate whether professional cyclists can exceed the current standard of 120 grams of carbohydrate intake per hour.

Postdoctoral researcher Kobe Vermeire notes that professional cyclists represent a unique group due to their bodies being regularly conditioned to process high volumes of carbohydrates. The study involves three-hour tests where athletes consume approximately 140 grams of carbohydrates per hour. Researchers use exhaled air analysis to monitor how much of the ingested carbohydrate is actually utilized by the body.

Professor Jan Boone, an expert in exercise physiology and sports nutrition, emphasizes that optimized carbohydrate intake can sustain high performance levels during the final stages of long races and aid recovery during multi-day competitions, such as three-week Grand Tours.