Tour de France: Calories, Heat, and Endurance Strategies

Tour de France riders fuel at about 500 calories per hour, mainly through high carbohydrate intake, which boosts performance and recovery. However, this high-carb approach is tailored to elite athletes and may not be suitable or necessary for recreational cyclists, who should focus on individualized fueling strategies based on their own tolerance, training intensity, and goals. Overfueling can cause gastrointestinal issues and waste resources, so moderation and personalized plans are recommended for amateurs.