When Lidl-Trek’s Head of Performance, Josu Larrazabal, looks back on the past season, the achievement still feels monumental: three Grand Tours and three points jerseys in one year. “It was a big challenge but also very rewarding,” he says. “In a Grand Tour so many factors can take you out — crashes, sickness, fatigue. To achieve three points jerseys in one year is something special, and it reflects the whole team’s effort.” Josu has been with the Team for over a decade, rising from coach and sport director to Head of Performance. Today he oversees every detail of rider preparation and recovery. “We are chasing the dream of becoming number one,” he says simply.
The Challenge of Recovery
For professional cyclists, recovery isn’t a luxury — it’s survival. Riders spend up to seven hours on the bike, then face transfers, hotel changes, and another stage the next morning. That relentless rhythm makes recovery a science of detail. “The stomach is the limiting factor,” Josu explains. “In the past, riders took in 60 to 80 grams of carbohydrates per hour. Now it’s 120 grams or more. That puts the body right on the edge. I remember a rider in the Tour de France who simply couldn’t eat anymore in the final two days. His system just shut down and we lost the top 10 in the 20th stage. The consequences can be devastating; weeks of work undone by a body unable to absorb what it needs. “Every single detail that facilitates absorption can make the difference,” he stresses.
Measuring Recovery
The Lidl–Trek team monitors riders with precision. Heart rate, power output, hydration, and weight are tracked daily, along with urine density and pH. Weight, Josu notes, is particularly telling — not just as a measure of fat but as an indicator of muscle balance and inflammation. Yet numbers only tell part of the story. “Recovery also has a big mental side,” Josu says. “The perception of recovery influences how a rider feels the next morning. Just as perceived effort affects performance, perceived recovery impacts readiness for the next stage.”
Enter Unbroken Real Time Recovery
After hours of pushing food into an already overloaded stomach, many riders struggled with traditional recovery options that felt heavy and unappealing. That’s where Unbroken — a natural supplement made from fresh Norwegian salmon — found its niche. “Some riders take it straight at the finish line, others on the bus, and many again before sleep,” Josu explains. “Unbroken allows us to keep muscle recovery at the highest level without adding stress on the stomach.”
The benefit isn’t just physical. “Recovery has a big mental component,” he says. “Unbroken avoids that heaviness of constant eating. It feels light and refreshing. That changes the riders’ mindset — it makes the recovery process more positive.” At first, some riders hesitated over the natural taste. But now, Josu laughs, the apple version has become a favorite. “They actually crave it after racing. It goes down easily, it’s refreshing, and it doesn’t kill the appetite for the nutrition they still need. That’s the difference.”
Marginal Gains
In elite sport, small details separate victory from defeat. “Everything is on the limit — physical and mental,” Josu says. “There’s no margin left, so little changes make the real difference. Unbroken is one of those changes. It speeds up the process and helps the riders stay ready for the next day.”
Lessons for Amateurs
What about weekend warriors? Josu’s advice is refreshingly simple: focus on hydration and don’t let your energy stores run dry. “Don’t wait until you’re thirsty or empty,” he says. “Eat before, during, and after exercise — even if it’s short. That way your recovery will be better, and you’ll get more out of your training. And nothing works if you’re not hydrated.”
On the Edge
In today’s cycling, every system is pushed beyond comfort. Absorption of carbs, protein, and even fats is constantly tested. “We are really bringing the system to the limit,” Josu reflects. “That’s why small improvements, like making protein easy to take in, matter more than ever. They keep the riders performing at the very edge.”
From the pro peloton to your ride — Unbroken is now available in Trek stores across the USA and Europe.
