Hydration has always been a key factor i cyclingtherefore also in the Tour de France, its most international competition. But, What have been the changes in cycling habits since the first years of the Grand Tour?
oh alcohol as a normal drink for endurance sports, especially cycling? Today it seems barbaric to us, but until the 60s it was a more than common practice, completely widespread.
A beer, wine and champagne They were some of the most consumed drinks, during the route and after finishing. Tea and hot chocolate were other products that Henri Cornet, winner of the Tour de France in 1904, consumed daily to finish a race in first place that kept him on the bike for up to 18 hours in each stage.
Things have changed a lot in the last 50 years. Nowadays alcohol is strictly prohibited in the diet of the athletes during the Tour de France, including in the days before the start of the competition.
Teams develop hydration strategies designed to replace everything lost through sweat, not only water, but also sodium, potassium, magnesium or calcium.
So, Tour de France cycling bottles can usually contain three substances depending on the circumstances: hypertonic drinks, isotonic drinks and hypotonic drinks.
Regarding the quantity, it is considered that all cyclists should ingest around 10 liters of liquid per day. This amount usually varies slightly to adapt to each person’s sweating, which is calculated in advance, and the intensity of the stage in question.
This is how hydration has changed for cyclists Tour de France from its beginnings to the present day. What do you think? Do you think it should be this way?