Patrick CLUZAUD
Patrick Cluzaud, National Technical Director of the French Cycling Federation (FFC)There is a broad range of disciplines in the FFC: some call more for endurance, such as road racing and cross-country mountain biking, some for shorter, more violent exertion, such as sprints, the track and BMX, and others for steering such as downhill mountain biking and trials.
In general we have very good sports results (for example, the boys have just won the gold medal in the world championships for team track speed racing and 3 other medals). Our objective in this pre-Olympic year is to ensure a maximum of qualification quotas for the 2008 Olympic Games.
The high level depends on a collection of details, and above all you mustn't forget nutrition. Athletes must follow a healthy life style, which means a balanced diet (I am even more demanding for endurance disciplines).
We think energy drinks certainly have their place, riders have to work for a long time, as much as 6 or 7 hours, and they absolutely must rehydrate themselves regularly to compensate for water, salt and glycogen losses.
The composition of Isostar energy drinks is perfect for hydration and optimum recovery of the riders, and as they like to change, they appreciate there being several sorts with nice flavours.
We use Actifood fruit gels to be taken throughout the exercise, and this year the new Energy Gels went down well, the riders using them at the end of the race. Good marks also for Long Energy Cakes: that are well formulated, they don't take up much room in the stomach and can replace a meal (particularly appreciated by the girls before time or the track trials).
If I were to offer one piece of advice to our members, it would be to make sure that their glycaemic level doesn't drop. This means regular hydration (drink little and often, rather than lots at once). You have to replace sugar with energy drinks, but also with High Energy bars, which are very effective for that. And what's more they're good, the riders in our teams are very demanding!
With Isostar we have a range of products to avoid hunger and weakness. If you eat them correctly, there's no risk!