Which Sports Nutrition Brands Do WorldTour Cycling Teams Use in 2025?

Overview: Teams and Their Nutrition Partners in 2025

The following UCI WorldTeams rely on these official sports nutrition partners:

Why Do Teams Choose These Brands?

All mentioned brands are known for science-based sports nutrition and high quality. Especially in demand are:

• Liquid carbohydrates
• Plant-based alternatives
• Personalized nutrition

Carbs in the Bottle – What Do the Pros Use?

In addition to gels, bars, and solid food, WorldTour riders increasingly rely on “liquid energy” – carbohydrates delivered through their bottles.

Why Carbs in a Bottle?

• Rapid absorption: Liquid carbs enter the bloodstream faster.
• Gentle on the stomach: Smaller amounts are easier to digest.
• Practical: Easy to consume even under heavy exertion.

Scientific Background

The small intestine can absorb around 60 g of glucose per hour. Combining it with fructose (which uses a different transport mechanism) increases the absorption rate to up to 120 g/h – crucial for long stage races.

How Much Do Pros Really Drink?

Many teams use a 1:0.8 or 1:1 glucose:fructose ratio to maximize absorption.

Examples from the Peloton

• Team Visma | Lease a Bike: Up to 120 g/h, using concentrated bottles and gels
• INEOS Grenadiers: Nutrition is precisely adapted to stage profiles and power output
• Mathieu van der Poel at Paris–Roubaix: Over 100 g carbohydrates per hour – “almost entirely through drinks”

What’s Inside a Carbo Bottle?

• Maltodextrin: Fast glucose source, well tolerated
• Fructose: Complements glucose to enhance total uptake
• Electrolytes: Support rehydration
• Flavors: Improve taste and acceptance

Example: A typical 500 ml bottle contains up to 90 g of carbs. Additional water is usually consumed to aid digestion – a hypertonic mix + water bottle strategy.

Conclusion: Learning from the Pros

The WorldTour teams show impressively how crucial well-planned nutrition strategies are. Liquid carbohydrates via bottles have become standard – and with some practice, they’re manageable even for amateur athletes. Still, it’s important to remember: these are pros. Ambitious athletes can take inspiration from them, but hobby cyclists need a much more moderate approach.

Recommendations for Your Training

• Start with 60 g/h, increase to 90 g/h for intense sessions
• Use a 1:0.8 glucose:fructose ratio
• Train your gut to tolerate higher carb intake
• Use liquid nutrition in combination with gels or bars

Sources

• Jeukendrup, A. E. (2014). Carbohydrate intake during exercise and performance. Nutrition, 30(7-8), 769–777.
• Hexis Nutrition App: www.hexis.live
• WorldTour team websites (as of the 2025 season)
• Burke, L. M. (2015). Re-Examining High-Fat Diets for Sports Performance: Did We Call the 'Nail in the Coffin' Too Soon? Sports Medicine, 45(S1), 33–49.