Visma–Lease a Bike signs three-year partnership with Ketone-IQ

Visma–Lease a Bike has signed a three-year partnership with Ketone-IQ, an industry-leading American brand that produces a ketone ester drink. The use of ketones have become more and more prevalent in professional cycling over the last few years, as they are considered to be one of the key fuel sources alongside carbohydrates, fats and proteins.

In the announcement on Visma–Lease a Bike’s website, the team’s performance nutritionist Martijn Redegeld stated that “we have several years of experience with this supplement, and we are positive about the effects. After taking ketones, riders recover better from a hard training session or race because the body's fuel stores are replenished faster. Sleep quality also improves. In this way, we increase training efficiency”.

However, many in the professional peloton are not a fan of these products, with some even calling for them to be banned by the UCI and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Whilst ketones are not currently banned by either organisation, the UCI did issue a notice of non-recommendation in 2021 advising against the use of ketones due to them potentially causing digestive issues and the lack of information around their potential side effects.

The use of ketones within Visma–Lease a Bike is not new though and the team clearly believe in the effectiveness of these products. When speaking on this new partnership, the CEO of HVMN (Ketone-IQ’s parent company) Michael Brandt said “we are very proud to be working with the most successful cycling team in the world, Team Visma | Lease a Bike. We share the same ambition to be the best. We are happy to be able to contribute to the development of strong and healthy riders and to achieve top performances in the sport”.