The Tour de France Cyclists Burn About 8,000 Calories Per Stage Day

The Tour de France is considered the most physically demanding sporting event in the world. During a typical mountain stage, Tour de France cyclists burn between 6,000 and 8,000 calories — roughly 3–4 times the daily caloric needs of an average adult.

To compensate, riders consume specially designed energy gels, bars, and drinks throughout the race. Their support teams pass food through car windows during climbs. Riders lose 2–5 kg of body weight during a three-week Tour despite eating around the clock. The total energy expenditure across all 21 stages can reach 170,000 calories — equivalent to running about 65 marathons.