Between the Nutella sandwich and altitude, Evenepoel explains his philosophy for controlling weight throughout the year

Weight control remains one of the pillars of cycling performance, but Remco Evenepoel has made it clear that management no longer involves extreme formulas. In a recent interview, the Olympic champion reveals how genetics, nutrition, and specific preparation coexist on his path to the ideal weight for the Tour, with a much more nuanced view than that of previous generations.

Evenepoel details his method for fine-tuning weight without losing performance in modern cycling

One of the key points Evenepoel highlights in the interview with the Belgian media HLN is his own physiological predisposition. "I have genes that make it easy to gain weight," he acknowledges, explaining that his build tends to accumulate pounds if he doesn't maintain a strict routine. Even during the season, he describes a clear pattern of fluctuation that he does not consider problematic, but rather part of the process. "Strong, but with weight changes. If I didn't do sports and just ate and enjoyed life, I would gain weight quickly."

This variability translates into concrete differences between phases of the calendar. Between the classics block and Tour preparation, Evenepoel places the loss at around three to four kilos, a figure that has a direct impact on his performance data. "In April, my three-minute values are better than in summer because I also lose some muscle and absolute power." The nuance is important. Because fine-tuning weight is not beneficial for all types of races, and the key is to adjust the balance between explosiveness and efficiency in long efforts.

RECOMENDADO

New SRAM Ochain: this is how the system that eliminates pedal kickback works

Detailing the SCOTT Addict Gravel with which Alberto Barroso won the 2026 Gravel Championship of Spain.

Pogacar debuts a prototype of the Colnago TT2 in Romandy

The new Avinox engine has received approval from the UCI and makes its competition debut with Megamo

Fairclough launches his new series exploring the great unknown of MTB, South Korea

We tested the Gobik Attitude 2.0 Lag jersey: race-fit, 105 grams, and a seamless construction for fast road and gravel riding

To reach that optimal point, the Belgian rules out shortcuts. "I know perfectly well what I have to do to lose it and reach my lowest weight: a month of altitude concentration or a long training period." In his case, the difference can be very visible between blocks of the season. "In the Volta a Catalunya, my weight was worlds apart from the UAE Tour." There lies one of the keys to his preparation for the Tour: it is not just about eating less, but about linking load, altitude, and volume to fine-tune the body without compromising performance.

In fact, he insists that modern cycling has changed radically in this aspect. "In a race, you have to maintain the energy balance with what you expend. The carbohydrate load makes it practically impossible to lose weight while competing. The times of Chris Froome, who lost weight in the first ten days of the Tour, are over." This statement reflects a structural change in the nutrition of the peloton, where immediate performance takes precedence over any aggressive physical adjustment.

This approach is better understood when analyzing energy expenditure figures. Evenepoel talks about days of between 6,000 and 7,000 calories, which requires a high intake even before getting on the bike. "For a race like Liège, we can eat pasta without limit, 300 grams at noon and 400 at night." Far from the image of a restrictive diet, high-level cycling demands a constant supply of energy.

He even introduces unconventional examples to illustrate this. "In the morning, you have to eat a lot because during the race it's impossible to recover everything. And how do you do it better? By eating a sandwich with Nutella..." A phrase that summarizes well the paradigm shift in sports nutrition, where the priority is to meet extreme energy demands.

Even so, control remains essential outside of that context. Evenepoel acknowledges that he avoids alcohol, although he admits to other temptations. "M&M's, ice cream... Do you know what's really good? The Lotus Biscoff Magnum. Especially the white chocolate one, although I haven't had them in a while." A detail that humanizes the discourse but also makes it clear that discipline remains the foundation.

Overall, his analysis outlines the evolution of modern cycling where weight is no longer managed as an isolated variable, but as part of a system involving power, recovery, and energy demand. Finding that balance, more than reaching a specific number on the scale, is what makes the difference in the fight for the general classification of a grand tour.