Top riders in the peloton are getting skinnier and skinnier: "This downward trend could have consequences"
Cycling
The University of Bern sounds the proverbial alarm bell because of a study into the BMI of cyclists. Just before the first Grand Tour of the year, the Giro d'Italia, it has become apparent that the top riders are losing more and more weight. The university would like to see the UCI take measures to prevent problems, partly because the consequences could be dire.
The scientists on duty examined the height and weight data of cyclists over the past thirty years (1992-2022). This showed that the BMI has decreased considerably from 22.12 to 20.13. Researcher Alexander Smith explains the results in the study. "So far it's not unhealthy or indicative of any future health problems, but it's a cause for concern." The "normal" BMI values should be between 18,5 and 25, according to WHO (World Health Organization).
Smith continues: “This declining trend in BMI could have implications for riders and regulators,” Smith added. "This is because performance pressure can lead to harmful behavior, with possible negative consequences for the health of the riders, both in the short and long term."
In 2020, Geraint Thomas (INEOS Grenadiers) spoke candidly about keeping weight as a GC rider. "Locating to about seventy kilos is quite easy, the last one or two kilos are the heaviest. Obsessive might be an overstatement, but I'm always aware of what I'm doing. It takes me a lot of effort to get to the required weight. That is by far the most difficult aspect when I am preparing myself to perform in stage races."
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Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
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- for what?frieders311-11-2026
- Blah blah blah!frieders311-11-2026
- Where Merckx just rode every single race he could and won all the time, Hinault won less often (percentage wise) because he was more judicious in what he raced. His palmares are nuts. He had amazing rivals, one to start his career and another to end it in the grand tours. His classics were solid. What sets him apart from Merckx and Pogačar are that he basically dabbled in the classics while the other two love(d) them. I used to compare Pogačar to Hinault for his grand tour record and occasional classics win, until I realized that the comparison was wrong. Pogačar loves the classics - ah, the memory of his reaction to finishing fourth in a 2 person sprint in Flanders in ‘22: utter domination in any one day race since then, even when he doesn’t win. Hinault lived for the grand tours and I don’t think anyone else will ever reach his record. 10 wins in 13 attempts? Good lord. An amazing rider. Wish there was more footage to watch.RidesHills11-11-2026
- I had no idea about that either.
santiagobenites10-11-2026 - great analysis thanks! appreciate you posting this. I didn't realize CX had a different standard for deviation. this is even more egregious it seems.mij10-11-2026
- As he isn't currently with Red Bull, I guess if he want to race for one more year he needs to find a team. He's 37 so this will be his last year I would guess, unless he wants to race for almost nothing like Froome did.awp10-11-2026
- I think some are making much ado about nothing. Even though Jonas is getting older, before his crash in the Tour, he looked like a solid 2nd all the way home. No one can really climb with Tadej until this year, Eric Mas showed himself which I think was a one off year for him and Paul Seixas has been able to be pretty close to him. Whatever stage race Jonas enters as long as Tadej is not there he is a favorite to win.awp10-11-2026
- Giro or not Giro, he won't win the Tour!MajorPayne10-11-2026
- Very true.awp10-11-2026
- Ciccone had a very strong end of season. Consistently attacking and livening up races. Hope he makes that last leap in progress and starts notching some significant wins. Great rider to watch.Occam10-11-2026
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Not the tour but a grand tour chop all the same… ✂️ #Giro
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