In the world of modern cycling, carbohydrates are king. But in our obsession with carbs, have we been undervaluing protein? We always associate high protein intake with bodybuilders, but what is its true role for the elite endurance athletes tackling the Tour de France? To get the definitive answers, we spoke to three expert nutritionists from top World Tour teams. In this video, they reveal exactly how much protein pro riders consume, the specific timing strategies they use (including before bed!), the types of protein they prioritise, and the surprising reason why they eat ZERO protein during a race. The answers might change the way you think about your own nutrition. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS / CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Intro: Carbs vs Protein 00:58 - The Basics: Role of Fat, Carbs & Protein 01:52 - Why Is Protein So Important For Cyclists? 03:58 - How Much Protein Do Pro Cyclists REALLY Need? 05:29 - The Pro Timing Strategy: When Do They Eat It? 10:17 - Protein Sources: What Kinds of Food Do They Eat? 14:58 - The Big Question: Protein During a Race? 16:03 - The Off-Season: Is Unwanted Muscle A Risk? 18:31 - The Final Verdict Thanks to the contributors: Will Girling. Sports Nutritionist at Red Bull Bora Hansgrohe. www.willgirling.com James Moran: Head of Performance and Lead Nutritionist at Uno-X Mobility Cycling Maria Carmona: Sports nutritionist at EF Education Easypost. @‌mariacarmona_nutri Useful Links: Join this channel to get access to perks 👉 https://gcn.eu/JoinYTmemberships Subscribe so you don’t miss a thing! 👉 https://gcn.eu/subscribe Insurance: Viewers in the USA and UK can explore GCN Insurance products 👉 https://gcn.eu/GCNinsurance Sign Up To The GCN Newsletter 👉 https://gcn.eu/Newsletter GCN Uploader 👉 https://gcn.eu/gcnuploader Visit the GCN Shop 👉 https://gcn.eu/gcnshop GCN WhatsApp Channel 👉 https://gcn.eu/GCNwhatsapp GCN Instagram Broadcast Channel 👉 https://gcn.eu/instagrambroadcast Join the GCN Club on Zwift and ride with us! 👉 https://gcn.eu/GCNClubRides What's your go-to protein source after a long ride? Let us know in the comments below! Watch more on GCN... 📹 Watch our Editor’s Choice Playlist 👉 https://gcn.eu/editorschoice 📹 Or why not check out our Features Playlist 👉 ​​https://gcn.eu/gcnfeatures 🎵 Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound 🎵 Lennon Hutton - Dox Silver Maple - Superior #gcn #cycling #roadcycling #roadbike #bike #bikes #bikelife #CyclingNutrition #Protein #TourDeFrance #TDF #Endurance #SportsNutrition #BikeLife #Diet #GCN 📸 Photos - © Velo Collection (TDW) / Getty Images & © Sirotti Images The Global Cycling Network (GCN) is the largest online cycling channel in the world, bringing together a global community of road cyclists to celebrate everything that’s great about the world of cycling. Our videos bring fans compelling daily content including expert tutorials, techniques, training, racing, cutting-edge bike tech, unparalleled behind the scenes event coverage, humour, entertainment, and more. Presented by ex-pro riders, GCN offers a uniquely qualified insight into the world of cycling, and most importantly it’s fuelled by our passionate and enthusiastic fans – everyone who makes up the GCN community. We also bring the latest and greatest tech to your attention, showcase the best places in the world to ride and get exclusive access to events and races. Welcome to the Global Cycling Network | Inside Cycling Thanks to our sponsors: Canyon Bikes: http://gcn.eu/-Canyon Orbea Bikes: http://gcn.eu/Orbea Pinarello Bikes: https://gcn.eu/Pinarello Topeak Tools: http://gcn.eu/Topeak CamelBak: https://gcn.eu/Camelbak Pirelli Tyres: https://gcn.eu/Pirelli Vision Wheels: http://gcn.eu/Vision Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles: https://gcn.eu/VW Wahoo Fitness: http://gcn.eu/Wahoo-Fitness Park Tool: http://gcn.eu/-parktool Selle Italia: https://gcn.eu/SelleItalia Zwift: https://gcn.eu/Zwift Silca: https://gcn.eu/Silca MET Helmets: https://gcn.eu/methelmets Core Body Temperature: https://gcn.eu/corebodytemp Precision Fuel & Hydration: https://gcn.eu/precisionhydration Elitewheels: https://gcn.eu/Elitewheels Watch our sister channels: GCN Tech - https://www.youtube.com/@gcntech GCN Racing - https://www.youtube.com/@gcnracing Global Triathlon Network - https://www.youtube.com/@gtn GCN Italia - https://www.youtube.com/@gcnitalia GCN en Español - https://www.youtube.com/@gcnenespanol GCN auf Deutsch - https://www.youtube.com/@gcnaufdeutsch GCN en Français - https://www.youtube.com/@gcnenfrancais GCN Training - https://www.youtube.com/@GCNTraining Global Mountain Bike Network - https://youtube.com/@gmbn GMBN Tech - https://www.youtube.com/@gmbntech Electric Mountain Bike Network - https://www.youtube.com/@embn