New Decathlon gels 1:0.8: WorldTour nutrition at affordable prices

Decathlon brings WorldTour-level nutrition to its stores with the new 1:0.8 range capable of reaching 120 g of carbohydrates per hour.

Decathlon launches a new generation of gels, bars, and drinks for cycling and other endurance sports

Decathlon recently presented its 1:0.8 line, a new range of sports nutrition developed alongside the professional DECATHLON CMA CGM team that brings some of the most advanced nutritional strategies currently used in elite cycling to amateur athletes. The goal is to allow for greater carbohydrate intake during prolonged efforts, improve energy availability, and simultaneously reduce digestive discomfort.

The new family of products emerges at a time when endurance sports nutrition is experiencing a true revolution. For years, the reference for cyclists, runners, and triathletes was a combination of glucose and fructose in a 2:1 ratio, a formula that allowed for the intake of around 90 grams of carbohydrates per hour. However, recent research has shown that, using a 1:0.8 ratio, it is possible to raise that figure to 120 grams per hour during long-duration efforts.

The science behind the 1:0.8 system

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The key lies in utilizing two different absorption pathways within the intestine. Glucose uses the SGLT1 transporter, whose maximum capacity is around 60-66 grams per hour. Fructose, on the other hand, is absorbed through the GLUT5 transporter.

By combining both carbohydrates in the right proportion, the body can significantly increase the total amount of energy it can absorb during exercise. This strategy has become one of the major trends in professional cycling, especially in long-duration events where maintaining high energy levels is crucial for performance.

Julien Louis, nutrition manager of the DECATHLON CMA CGM team, explained in his presentation that carbohydrates remain “the main fuel for performance” and that, when intensity increases, they become the predominant energy source over fats.

Developed alongside WorldTour professionals

The 1:0.8 range has been designed by Decathlon's nutrition engineers in direct collaboration with the DECATHLON CMA CGM team and under the supervision of Julien Louis. Professional cyclists like Olav Kooij participated in the validation process alongside more than 500 consumers.

According to the French brand, the development lasted over a year and combined laboratory tests, high-intensity training, and altitude concentrations. During some of these sessions, runners consumed up to 140 grams of carbohydrates per hour for several consecutive hours to evaluate both energy absorption and digestive tolerance.

One of the main objectives was to respond to a common demand from many athletes: to have nutrition that serves both for training and competition without the need to resort to different products.

The intestine also trains

The project leaders emphasize that reaching figures close to 120 grams per hour is not something that should be done immediately.

Current scientific evidence shows that intestinal absorption capacity can be progressively improved through what is known as “intestinal training.” Just as muscles adapt to greater workloads, the digestive system can gradually get used to processing higher amounts of carbohydrates.

Therefore, Decathlon's nutrition team recommends gradually increasing intake and not trying to replicate from day one the strategies used by professional cyclists.

Four product families for a complete strategy

The new 1:0.8 range is structured around four types of products that share the same glucose-fructose ratio, allowing them to be combined without altering the nutritional strategy.

• Energy gels: 40 grams of carbohydrates per unit
• Fruit gummies: 35 grams of carbohydrates per unit.
• Energy bars: 30 grams of carbohydrates per unit.
• Energy drink mixes: options of 30, 60, or 90 grams of carbohydrates per 500 ml.

This variety allows for adapting nutrition to different moments of effort. Bars tend to fit better in the initial phases of a long outing, while gels and drinks facilitate reaching high intake rates when intensity increases.

Simple ingredients and a focus on digestibility

Another pillar of the project has been to minimize gastrointestinal issues, one of the main reasons for abandoning high carbohydrate intake strategies.

To achieve this, Decathlon has opted for formulations with reduced ingredient lists, natural flavors, and no added preservatives. According to the brand, the goal was to develop products that are easy to tolerate even when consumed in large quantities over several consecutive hours.

Elite nutrition at more accessible prices

In addition to performance, Decathlon has focused on price. The company believes that many of the nutritional strategies used at high levels remain inaccessible to amateur athletes due to their high cost.

The new 1:0.8 range hits the market with an approximate cost of 2.5 euros for every 40 grams of carbohydrates, a figure that the brand places below many premium alternatives in the sector.

Here you can see all the products that are already available in Europe through Decathlon's website and in a selection of physical stores, becoming the same nutritional system used by the DECATHLON CMA CGM team during training and competitions.