Beyond hyper-modern bikes and advanced training techniques, the single biggest revolution in modern professional cycling is without a doubt nutrition strategy. Fully loaded tanks at the start and strict fuel management along the way allow pros to sustain unprecedented power outputs. But how does that actually work, and can everyday cyclists simply copy this strategy?

The advice sounds simple: depending on the intensity, you consume 80, 100, or even up to 140 grams of carbs per hour. But does the same strategy apply to a short pro race versus an ultra-endurance effort, or is there a world of difference between fuel management for 3 hours versus 10+ hours in the saddle?