One last cup for the road? The terrible fall, this Thursday, April 4 during the Tour of the Basque Country, did not only highlight the dangerousness of the bikes and the behavior of certain riders. Because some wanted to see caffeine as one of the explanations for the horrible crash which notably sent Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel to the hospital.
The thesis was simple: didn't runners who overindulged in coffee before and during races become too excited because of it? The shortcut is tight like a ristretto but is almost a syllogism, even a fantasy. But it allows us to talk about this practice, which is completely legal but often ignored by the roadside public: on buses at the foot of the starting lines, the practice now borders on ritual. The runners consume two or three espressos, the last of which just before going to the signature.
Before 2004, there was a threshold not to be exceeded
This hold is supposed to make them alert enough to launch or not miss a possible attack from the first kilometers. But during the race, caffeine is also entitled to its bib. Runners can consume it in gel form or, if the pace of the race allows it, in the form of chewing gum.
Remember that caffeine is absolutely not one of the products banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency since 2004. Previously, it was above a certain threshold. “And fortunately it is authorized,” explains Jacky Maillot, the doctor at Groupama-FDJ. Otherwise, this means that riders would never be allowed, throughout their entire career, to drink a single cup of coffee or tea. That would be ridiculous. » But what is the point of consuming so much caffeine in a few hours? “We look at the benefit-risk ratio and we adjust,” continues Maillot. It is estimated that based on their weight, guys can consume between 280 and 300 milligrams. An espresso is about 80 milligrams. Caffeine acts as an anti-fatigue agent and helps with concentration. »
Also read “I saw the guys flying in front”: at the heart of the terrible fall that mowed down Vingegaard and Evenepoel
On the other hand, not everyone is equal when it comes to caffeine. “Like people who go to drink coffee at 11 a.m. and not be able to sleep the following night,” notes Jacky Maillot. Or the one who will drink three cups at 6 p.m. and snore like a baby. In some runners, this can increase their heart rate and this will be counterproductive. And in others, with the diuretic effect, increasing their dehydration. So, we don't do anything. »
“To think that it excites you to the point of causing falls…”
Serge Niamké, the Decathlon-AG2R doctor, is on the same line. “The convivial side of the café is important,” he emphasizes. And we know that this has a metabolic effect on performance. On the other hand, I don't believe in thinking that this excites runners to the point of causing falls. This is the wrong target. »
“I take it during the races,” says Lilian Calmejane (Intermarché-Wanty). Cycling is an endurance sport and it helps you really focus on the end of the race. Generally, in the last hour, everyone takes it, whether in gel or in a small vial. But it doesn't provide any boost or excite the peloton. But you shouldn't overdo it. » Indeed, it is rumored that runners have become accustomed to exceeding 1,000 milligrams daily. This necessarily affects their sleep pattern, which they then improve by taking sleeping pills. Everything is legal but inevitably harmful to their health in the long term.