6000 calories a day "and we’re like toothpicks" - Former World Tour pro on extreme demand of racing a Grand Tour in 2026
CyclingThursday, 24 September 2026 at 14:30
Sergio Samitier closed out La Vuelta a España 2026 with his goals achieved after completing a race of more than 3,300 kilometers and 58,000 meters of accumulated elevation gain. In a recent interview, he has spoken about the extreme demands required just to be part of the professional peloton.
The Cofidis rider spent the three weeks working for his team’s sprinter Bryan Coquard, while also seeking his own chances on medium-mountain days.
The Barbastro native made three of the five breakaways that went the distance, underlining his intent to seize the most suitable stages to get in the spotlight. Once the Spanish Grand Tour was over, Samitier took stock in an interview with Cadena SER, where he highlighted the massive evolution cycling has undergone in recent years.
Since his Vuelta debut in 2019, the Cofidis rider has perceived a profound shift in rider preparation. Equipment, nutrition, and training have reached a level of specialization that, in his view, has significantly raised the bar in the professional peloton.
“Each year cycling is a sport that gets more and more expensive. There are 16 First Division teams worldwide and 18 in Second (correction: 18 World Tour and 16 ProTeam, ed.); if you’re there, you’re no fool,” Samitier explained, underscoring the level of riders who manage to stay at the top.
Cofidis' Sergio Samitier spoke about the demands of pro cycling
6000 calories a day consumed during Grand Tours
The Spanish rider believes strategy has become essential to survive in a race like the Vuelta. The fight to make the break requires maximal efforts before the peloton allows a move to stick, so knowing when to spend energy is decisive.
Once the break forms, pacing becomes even more important. Samitier notes that performance over three weeks depends not only on physical capacity, but also on daily recovery and the many details surrounding a rider during a Grand Tour.
Nutrition is one of those key aspects. The Cofidis rider says that during the Vuelta he can consume around 6,000 calories a day to offset the huge energy cost of the stages. “It’s absolutely crazy, and we’re like toothpicks,” he joked during the interview.
Samitier looks to end second season with Cofidis on a high
After completing the Vuelta, Samitier still has targets on the 2026 calendar. Unlike last season, when he doubled up with the Giro d’Italia and the Spanish race, this year he reaches the final stretch feeling fresher. “I’m more alive,” says the rider, who hopes to capitalize on that form to tackle the Italian autumn classics.
The former Movistar rider also again highlighted the support he received during the Vuelta, especially on the days in Aragón and Andorra. Now, with the Spanish Grand Tour in the rear-view mirror, Samitier approaches the season’s final races aiming to put the finishing touch on a year in which he again showed his ability to work for the team while seeking his own opportunities in breakaways.
Javier RampeCycling Journalist
Javier Rampe is a sports analyst with more than 15 years of experience. He holds a degree in Economics from the University of Rome and a Diploma in Business Studies from the University of Cádiz. Despite coming from an academic background not particularly associated with cycling, his passion for both cycling and journalism was instilled in him from an early age. He grew up following Miguel Indurain and José María “El Chava” Jiménez. An admirer of Michael Robinson’s communication style and journalistic approach, he was inspired to pursue a degree in Journalism at the University of Buenos Aires, which he is currently completing.
He has always maintained close ties with the worlds of sport and culture, contributing from a young age to sports blogs and film and music review websites. His work has appeared in media outlets such as Cope, RAI, and Radio Con Vos. He is also the founder of the cycling-focused podcast El Contraanálisis and the football interview channel Días De Fútbol, dedicated to conversations with professional footballers.
In addition to his work at Ciclismoaldia, Javier has interviewed some of the most influential figures in modern cycling, including Alejandro Valverde and Tadej Pogačar, as well as key voices in anti-doping policy such as Alberto Yelmo, David Varillas, and Marcelo Milano. Marcos Maynar, in relation to the ‘Operación Ílex’ case, is also among the personalities he has interviewed. He enjoys conducting in-depth analysis of the cycling ecosystem and has attended major events such as Strade Bianche, the Vuelta a Andalucía, and Itzulia, as well as numerous national cyclo-cross races.
His background in economics, combined with extensive experience in marketing and corporate communications, drives his continuous study of positioning strategies and ensures that he always keeps his focus on crafting compelling and evocative headlines.
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