The Feed's Guide to the TDF: Sleeping Like a Pro
By The Feed.
Following a Tour stage, the goal for any team is to move their riders from the finish line to their beds as quickly and effortlessly as possible. With stages wrapping up around 6 PM, riders have to cool down, refuel, travel to the hotel, receive a massage, and dine. We'll disclose some little tricks that the pros use to get the best sleep possible.
Following a Tour stage, the goal for any team is to move their riders from the finish line to their beds as quickly and effortlessly as possible. While that's the riders' relaxation time, it can be the most hectic time for team staff.
Imagine riding at 60 km/h in the last 10 km of a stage, elbow-to-elbow, with 200 other riders, all the while avoiding obstacles amidst the deafening cheers of up to 100,000 fans. The adrenaline rush can leave riders so shaky they're unable to type on their phones for a good half hour!
With stages wrapping up around 6 PM, riders have to cool down, refuel, travel to the hotel, receive a massage, and dine – all within 4 hours to ensure they hit the sack by 10PM. Post-stage podium appearances and media further cut into this precious recovery time.
So, how do they wind down?
Here's how Tour riders optimize their post-stage recovery:
Professional Recovery: Pillar
Introduced to The Feed this February, Pillar quickly gained traction among top-tier athletes like Jan Frodeno. This triple magnesium drink is a bedtime favorite among our athletes. At just over $1 a night, it is the best investment you can make for a better night's sleep.
Your Checklist
After all that, you now have a simple guideline to follow for hard training days and late races. So for sleep as revitalizing as a Tour de France pro, follow this checklist: