"This is modern cycling" - Tobias Johannessen takes heat training to the extreme ahead of Tour de France

Tobias Johannessen is leaving no stone unturned as he prepares for the 2025 Tour de France with Uno-X Mobility. The Norwegian climber has been putting himself through some extreme heat training in the final days before the race begins, and his latest session has certainly raised some eyebrows from experts.

Despite already warm conditions, Johannessen took things a step further by riding his bike wrapped in garbage bags, around both his body and head, while also wearing gloves. On Instagram, he revealed that he layered up with no fewer than five jackets, causing his body temperature to spike to 39.6°C and leading to a loss of 2.5 litres of fluid.

"And a rider from Norway is therefore a little more adapted to the heat. This is modern cycling, " he wrote on Instagram.

Heat training has become an increasingly common method in modern performance preparation, which is especially important given the high temperatures in France in July. By simulating the physiological stress of racing in high temperatures, it can help riders improve thermoregulation, increase plasma volume, and enhance endurance under pressure. With the Tour expected to deliver hot conditions, especially in southern France and the high mountains, Johannessen is clearly aiming to adapt in advance.