How To Recover Like A Pro | Giro D'Italia 2014

The initial phase of recovery after training or racing is the most important.

We spoke to the soigneurs and riders before stage 20 of the 2014 Giro d'Italia to find out how they recover immediately after a stage.

The soigneurs outline the processes that they have developed to ensure that the riders stay warm and healthy, rehydrate, and refuel.

How do you recover after a ride or race? Comment below and let us know!

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Leave us a comment below!

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[dillydean]

haha gota love the aussy, oh pizza and a beer hahaha 

[kwacker]

I also think we need to remember we aren't pros so our energy outputs etc will be nothing like as high. A report recently highlighted the issue with overweight children who played a lot of sport but then drank far to much energy related drinks, emulating the pro footballers. Thus takings huge amount of calories negating the benefits of exercise. Same with hydration, yes we need to keep hydrated but in moderation, most new clinical testing seems to point to drink when thirsty can be a good indicator for most, especially those non professionals

[FatFrank]

I can't understand even with everything how they recover so fast 2b able 2 race next day. Takes me 2 - 3 days to fully recover after a hard session, no matter what I take

[durianriders]

The limiting factor in recovery is water and sugar. No cyclist in history has ran out of protein or fat in a race! But look what happened to Lance, Contador, Ulrich etc when they ran out of water/sugar in various races. They got dropped!

When one is taken to hospital for extreme fatigue, they are given an IV glucose  solution. Not fat or protein as its sugars and water that are the limiting factors.

When you bonk, you also lower electrolyte reserves and have to restock.

Kenyan runners eat the least fat and protein but have the best cardio on the planet. They eat the most carbohydrate as a society and are thin until they start eating more  fat and protein based dishes.

I firmly believe that most of the weight loss drugs currently used in the peleton like AICAR etc could be dropped if riders stopped guzzling whey protein shakes. Why eat like a rugby player if you want to be light enough to hold 6 w/kg for 30mins after 5 hours of racing??

[gabrielmunoz]

Man I wish I had Tom's jacket. Looking sharp!

[denbatt]

So Fanta pizza and beer eh, sweet i am so pro :)

[thecolinranger]

Does this really make a difference if your riding 3 times a week for a couple of hours at a time?

[leedorney]

Hepburn looks like a mighty morphin power ranger in those glasses!

[grheeinhawaii]

Interesting that fanta and coke are making another appearance for some riders as a recovery treat.

[sebaspictures]

Why don't you guys interview the leaders of the race like Nairo? Uran?

[xavierlopez]

Having a drink (fanta, coke...) and a quick snack (ham, cheese, bread) 15minutes after your race.
Cooling down 10/15 minutes on your bike at a very low intensity.
A good shower (cold water on your legs)
Stretching and massage.
Then, put your legs up and have a good night ;-)

[HairyCamera]

The POC logo on their car looks like it says "POO" at a distance