#014 - Simone Benedetti - Inside the World of Elite Cycling

In this episode, performance nutritionist Simone Benedetti takes us inside the world of elite cycling and explains how top riders fuel, hydrate, and prepare for the demands of racing. From understanding individual sweat and sodium losses to adapting for extreme heat, he breaks down the real science behind hydration, and in-race fuelling. Simone also touches on his own research background, including studies on the effects of dark chocolate on performance and the impact of paleo-style diets in athletic environments.Simone also shares the human side of working with world-class athletes, earning their trust, managing unpredictable race dynamics, and balancing serious performance targets with the everyday personalities inside a pro cycling team. He reflects on his journey from football to academia to the WorldTour, offering insight into the challenges, motivations, and passion that drive his work behind the scenes and keep him striving to help athletes perform at their best.Timestamps:(00:00) The Fascination with Dark Chocolate(07:28) Exploring the Paleo Diet(18:43) Nutrition in Professional Cycling(34:37) Cognitive Function and Performance(34:54) Refuelling Strategies for Different Race Types(36:41) Hydration Strategies for Athletes(40:15) Adapting to Different Climates(42:38) Refuelling During Races(45:40) Challenges in Nutrition for Athletes(49:25) Building Trust with Athletes(52:32) Behind the Scenes of Cyclists' Lives(54:51) Passion for Nutrition in Sports(59:23) Future Aspirations in Nutrition(01:01:49) Unanswered Questions in LifeFind Simone: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simone-benedetti-a43008144?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BVQTCGP6GQmKkZ83t72R68w%3D%3DInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonebenenutrition?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==Find Richie:YouTube: Richie O'Brien - YouTubeInstagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/richieobrienx/⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@richieobrienx⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/richieobrienx/⁠