New energy gel to give Sky’s Tour De France bikers the boost without the backlash
Just in time for the gruelling Col Du Tourmalet, the high spot of the 2010 Tour de France, GB Cycling has developed a new energy gel, in association with British sports nutrition company CNP. The berry-flavoured gel will be used by Team Sky to boost riders’ energy levels throughout the Tour – but they will surely appreciate its benefits most on Stage 17’s mountain-top finish, especially as they’ll be climbing by the steepest route.
Called Pro Energy, the gel has three important benefits: firstly, it delivers a sustained energy boost, as opposed to the quick rush that some energy products give; secondly, it is carefully formulated to be gentle on riders’ digestive systems; and thirdly, being caffeine-free means that riders can take as many portions of the gel as they need during a ride. It joins the Pro Energy Max gel CNP launched earlier this year.
Kerry Kayes, nutritional expert at CNP, explains: “We had to make sure the new gel didn’t just give riders a temporary boost, followed by a backlash in the form of an energy flat. Pro Energy gets round that by using ingredients that sustain the energy lift. At the same time, we wanted to give riders a gel they could use as often as they liked. So this one doesn’t contain stimulants, like caffeine, where the intake needs to be limited.”
Another key issue with energy gels is ensuring that ingredients don’t upset riders’ stomachs. “An energy gel has to deliver a big boost in a small package, so ingredients have to be highly concentrated,” says Kayes. “We worked closely with Nigel Mitchell, Head of Nutrition at GB Cycling, to develop a formula that is gentle on the stomach. For example, citric acid flavouring is commonly used in gels, but there’s none in Pro Energy.”
Pro Energy is supplied in 45g tear-open sachets that riders can carry easily. “Because it has no caffeine, the Sky riders will be able to consume up to two or three an hour,” says Kayes. “That compares to two or three per day if they are taking gels with caffeine.” Pro Energy’s ingredients include Maltodextrin, for a sustained release of energy, electrolytes for hydration and naturally occurring vitamin E, for its antioxidant properties.
Pro Energy’s development follows hard on the heels of the successful launch of Pro-Energy Max. Also developed by CNP with GB Cycling, Pro Energy Max is a cola-flavoured energy gel that includes caffeine. Both gels are safe to use by sportspeople subject to IOC drug testing.
Pro Energy will be available in the high street, through independent cycle shops. The single portion 45gm sachet will retail at £1. It will also be available in boxes of 24. Check out the CNP website, www.cnpprofessional.co.uk/cycling, for more details.
CNP Professional is one of the UK’s leading sports nutrition specialist companies. For more information visit www.cnpprofessional.co.uk, or call +44 (0) 161 368 0942 for sports nutrition advice and +44 (0) 161 368 3850 for sales.
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Notes for editors
CNP Professional is a leading supplier of sports nutrition supplements including protein shakes, protein bars, creatine supplements, meal replacements, mass gainers, weight loss supplements and post work out shakes, all designed for the ultimate in sports nutrition.
Kerry Kayes, the founder of CNP Professional, is a former national bodybuilding champion. He has been involved in sports nutrition for many years and his dietary expertise has established him as ‘the man in the know’ to sportspeople worldwide. He advises athletes as varied as premier league footballers, rugby clubs, triathletes, round the world yachting teams, runners, boxers, cyclists and motor sports teams.
CNP Professional supplements are carefully formulated to ensure that the body is able to make best use of the nutrients. Unlike many nutritional supplements, CNP Professional’s products are easy to drink.
There are several articles explaining protein nutrition supplements on the CNP website – go to the home page and click on ‘nutrition’ under the articles section.