Paris: Heat training has become a crucial aspect of preparation for cyclists vying for the yellow jersey in the 2025 Tour de France. The focus on heat adaptation stems from the dual benefits it offers: acclimatizing athletes to the current sunny conditions in France and providing a performance boost even at moderate temperatures.
According to Deutsche Welle, Kristof de Kegel, sports scientist and Head of Performance at Alpecin Deceuninck, noted that active heat training was a significant change in their preparation strategy. He emphasized that apart from this adjustment, their preparation mirrored that of the past four years. Similarly, Jeroen Swart, sports scientist at UAE Emirates XRG, highlighted the integration of heat training with altitude training to elevate the body's core temperature to a slightly feverish state of 38.5 degrees Celsius (101.3 degrees Fahrenheit).
Felix Gall, an Austrian professional cyclist, explained that heat training could be passive, involving sauna sessions or warm baths post-training, or active, involving wearing extra clothing during high-altitude climbs or using an exercise bike.
Carsten Lundby, a sports scientist from the University of Odense, Denmark, has studied the effects of heat and altitude training for a decade. Lundby believes that heat training is more effective than altitude training for most cycling teams today. He explained that more individuals respond positively to heat stimuli, making it a more potent and widespread method than altitude training.
Despite potential health risks associated with deliberate heat exposure, such as dehydration or heatstroke, these can be managed with medical supervision. Professional racers are typically accompanied by doctors to mitigate these risks.
The concept of heat training is not entirely new, as German champion Georg Zimmermann, a participant in the 2025 Tour de France, has been an ardent sauna enthusiast for years, inadvertently incorporating heat training into his routine. Rolf Aldag, a former pro cyclist, recalled early adopters like Miguel Indurain, who wore thermal gear at the 1992 World Championships.
Today, heat training is widely integrated into cycling team routines and is gaining popularity in other sports. For example, Formula 1 teams like Ferrari and Red Bull prepared their drivers for the heat before the 2022 Singapore Grand Prix, and marathon runners are increasingly adopting this method. In cycling, heat training offers a cost-effective alternative to altitude camps, allowing teams with smaller budgets to remain competitive.