#24: The Brutal Physiology of Modern XCO

D-VELO-P's dorky coaching duo Erik and Fredrik discussing cycling training and related topics. In this week's episode, we dive into a fascinating look at the evolution of modern mountain biking.We get into the weeds of a brand-new 2026 systematic review on the physiology of Olympic Cross-Country (XCO). We break down the staggering data behind the modern race: why it’s no longer a two-hour marathon, how riders handle hundreds of micro-sprints per race, and why your technical skills might actually be your most important physiological "recovery" asset.The study: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40798-026-00976-4Contact us: [email protected] to our newsletter: www.d-velo-p.meFollow us on socials:Instagram: D_VELO_PLinkedIn: D-VELO-P