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In the first four stages of the recently concluded Gree-Tour of Guangxi Road Cycling World Tour,Bass Cat had the privilege of boarding the BMC team's support vehicle, following the race with team staff Dom and Auxi, and bringing cycling enthusiasts some rare 'insider information.' Today, Bass Cat will first reveal the formula for the BMC team's riders' drinking water during the race. After learning it, you can try it on your rides.

At the mid-race supply point of the fourth stage, Dom (the man in the picture) and Auxi (the woman in the picture) were distributing drinking water for the riders. This water would be handed out at the supply point to provide energy and hydration during the race.

The drinking water used by the riders during the race is specially formulated by the team's nutritionist. When poured into a glass, it appears light yellow and tastes like a lemon-flavored drink with a slight salty taste. Many cycling friends have always believed that the mid-race drinks in top professional cycling races are 'secret recipes' of the teams. However, after Dom and Auxi explained it to me, I couldn't wait to mix a cup myself and take it on my ride!

In this drink, the BMC team's nutritionist chose Isoactive energy powder from the American brand PowerBar as the main solvent for the 'mystery drink.' The Isoactive energy powder in Dom's hand is Red Fruit Punch flavor. (The glass in the picture likely contains the lemon flavor of the same powder.)

The primary function of the energy powder is to provide electrolytes such as sodium, chloride, potassium, magnesium, and calcium, which are easily lost through sweat, helping riders replenish energy during high-intensity long-distance races. Bass Cat found the nutritional information for this energy powder, as shown in the table below:

Additionally, the team's nutritionist adds a small amount of sugar and salt to the drink to further replenish the riders' energy and maintain blood sugar balance.

These drinks are stored in the team's portable refrigerator and used to cool the riders during the relatively hot weather in Guangxi, alleviating their fatigue to some extent.

Many cycling friends have always believed that professional riders do not drink carbonated beverages. However, Auxi told me that the team also provides carbonated drinks to the riders to help them quickly replenish sugar after significant physical exertion. However, this is only allowed after the race; carbonated drinks are not distributed during the race.

Dom stated that this 'mystery formula' for mid-race drinks is also used in top professional cycling races like the Tour de France and Vuelta a España. So, if you want to drink the same beverage as the Tour de France riders, you can start making it yourself now!