German cyclist Nils Politt felt a spark of potential magic early on during the Olympic road race in Paris on Saturday. The veteran of seven Tours de France managed to get into a breakaway, pedaling through the historic streets of Paris with an air of optimism. But soon, that optimism gave way to discomfort as Politt began to experience an upset stomach.
A now-viral video on social media captured the moment when Politt, like any tourist in need, detoured into a nearby café to use the restroom. Emerging to a cheering crowd, the 30-year-old from Cologne quickly resumed the race amidst applause.
“I did not count how much time it took me,” Politt revealed after crossing the finish line. “It was really warm, we were drinking a lot of water, ate a lot of energy gels and normally I don’t have problems. But today I had an upset stomach.”
For cyclists, everything becomes more complicated on the bike, particularly when it comes to attending to basic needs like eating, drinking, and bathroom breaks. The challenges were magnified on Saturday, with the men racing the longest distance in Olympic history — 273 kilometers (170 miles) from Trocadéro, through the French countryside, and back to Paris for loops around Montmartre before finishing at the Eiffel Tower. The women faced a similar course on Sunday, albeit slightly shorter.
Surviving six-plus hours on the saddle requires strategic planning. Bathroom breaks, critical in long races, are usually managed based on road position, race speed, and proximity to the finish. When it’s time to relieve themselves, riders might stop in groups to minimize disruption and work together to catch up with the peloton. During high-speed sections, riders might swing to the side of the road to urinate without stopping.
When it comes to bowel movements, the situation is trickier. Cyclists might stop at bars or cafes in small towns, hoping to go unnoticed. Politt wasn’t so fortunate, finding himself needing a restroom near the end of the race amidst the bustling, fan-packed streets of Montmartre. He had to navigate through the crowd, climbing over a barricade to reach a café. Despite losing several minutes, Politt’s standing wasn’t drastically affected; he finished in 70th place, almost 20 minutes after gold medalist Remco Evenepoel.
Fueling during a race is equally critical. Riders work with dietitians to create carb-heavy menus that provide enough energy and are easy to digest. On race day, they load up on carbs even more, perhaps consuming oatmeal and rice for breakfast along with coffee or a caffeine-based pre-workout. During the Olympic road race, riders can burn between 6,000 and 8,000 calories.
Support staff, positioned along the route, supply riders with musettes — lightweight bags filled with sandwiches, energy bars, gels, and even small cans of soda. Riders sling these bags over their shoulders to keep their energy levels up.
Staying hydrated is another crucial component. Gone are the days when racers drank alcohol mid-race. Now, the focus is on water and nutrient-rich mixes providing electrolytes and BCAAs. Riders consume at least a liter of fluid per hour and still sweat out more than they ingest. Team members and neutral support vehicles along the course provide fresh bottles, ensuring that riders stay hydrated throughout the grueling race.
