"From riders around me, I constantly hear that the less weight you have, the faster you ride. Is that really true?"

It is true that weight, combined with a low fat percentage, is one of the simplest performance determinants in cycling. For example, a low fat percentage allows you to cycle up a mountain harder and more effectively. However, losing too much weight is not good either. Especially in professional cycling, the urge to lose weight seems to have taken quite a hold. Especially in the big tours, it is the flyweights who call the shots. An extremely low weight also has a downside.

Weight loss cycling

First of all, it is mentally extremely hard to stick to a very strict training and nutrition regime over a long period of time. This also explains the weight fluctuations in many tour favorites. In addition, hormone functions can deteriorate with decreased production of estrogen in women and testosterone in men. In women's cycling, inability to menstruate due to extremely low weight and fat percentage is still common.

Because of these reduced hormone functions, bone decalcification (osteoporosis) is also lurking. As a result, fractures occur more quickly in falls. In addition, the functioning of the immune system decreases, causing a person to get sick faster. This can then completely negate the entire performance improvement.

Training too hard on a fast stomach can cause you to burn protein, in addition to your fat tissue. This - in addition to your weight - also decreases your strength.

Conclusion, fat percentage and cycling

Not all effects of weight loss are beneficial to your performance in cycling. Make sure you have a good nutrition plan. After all, cyclists need huge amounts of energy to perform their sport. So eating nothing is not done.