Thibaud Marton - Cyclist | France
Read time:
Moins de 1 minute
Interview by Ross Lovell
Scroll down to read more
Frames
1-1
In the amateur ranks, passion is the driving force of dedication. It’s unlimited. Time and resources, however, are not. Life is a complex and unpredictable interplay of family and work and the unforeseen that makes structure a challenge. We train and race around an unreliable routine. When we can, not always when we want. Nevertheless, we still aspire to be better. We still try. It’s not simply a devotion — it’s an addiction. Of the good sort. Every amateur watches the professional and, at some stage, wonders — what if? Maurten can’t give the gift of time or streamline the day in, day out by stripping away the layers of life. But we can offer the support of nutritional expertise and an ecosystem of specifically designed fueling products.
Frames
2-2
LOG 1 — introducing Thibaud
LOG 2 — Moving in the right direction
On July 7, 2024, Thibaud crested the Col de Couillole — the finish line of the Etape du Tour. 4,600m of climbing over 140km were now in his rear-view mirror, and yet more than 1,000 riders had already finished ahead of him. It can be hard to feel fully satisfied with what you’ve overcome when there’s a nagging sense that it could have been better. His process of self-critiquing started almost immediately.
“I felt like, in the last climb, there was a moment where I was kind of just dreaming, or I was not really pushing as hard as I could. And in the end, I don't know, there were two or three kilometres when I was able to accelerate a little bit. Maybe, if I had been focused the whole climb, and really sticking to the power and the rhythm, maybe I would have reached my goal then.”
Some things you can focus on and change. Come back more prepared. But the timing of life rarely allows a seamless route to the next start line. “So this year was really special because my daughter was born one month before and we didn't know the exact date. So I knew that my preparation was not going to be perfect.” The joy of being a father is of course unmatched, but it doesn’t diminish the importance of holding on to some small goals in life. “I tried to not have too much ambition for this year’s Etape because I didn't know if I could really be 100%. In the end, I arrived at a good level, but I became sick a few days before, so it was really my most difficult experience at the event. I didn't sleep well the days before and I just had no energy. It was really, really hard to finish. I don't know, mentally and physically I was completely empty.”
Frames
3-5
A hard experience makes you wonder if it was even worth trying. And with a growing family, naturally there will be some guilt. “I was not with my partner and my daughter, so that added to the difficulty and the emotions at the finish.” The goal of finishing inside the top 1000 slipped away.
This year is different. It has been about ironing out the wrinkles and striking a balance. Fostering a home life that understands everyone’s mindset and personal needs is important. Thibaud’s partner, a keen trail runner, shares a similar passion and that can make cooperation easier. “It's a lot of scheduling communication with my partner, but we try to make it work for the best.” Spending time training is easier to justify because Thibaud knows he will be able to give his partner equal time to achieve her personal goals. It’s a negotiation process that’s relatable to many homes.
Cycling offers fans of the sport a rare gift — to experience the same roads as the professionals. On the one hand the gap in performance can feel humbling. On the other hand it’s a spectacle of possibility.
“Recently we had the presentation of the route for 2026, so I was really excited to know exactly where we are going to ride. It's something that really drives me on a day-to-day basis — a way to dream bigger. With my abilities, I want to get the most out of it and try my best.”
Riding the same roads is one thing, but through the Fueled for a Year project Thibaud will benefit from the same insights and expertise that helps many professional riders compete at the biggest races in the calendar — the likes of INEOS Grenadiers, SD Worx, UNO-X, and FDJ Suez. Tapping into that knowledge reserve is something that Thibaud is particularly motivated by. “You have this expertise of helping elite athletes that I really admire. I really hope to benefit from the same help they have. So at my level, what is the best nutrition strategy on and off the bike and how should I use the Maurten products?”
Frames
6-6
Thibaud will access nutritional education and fueling advice for both training and racing, but some race day essentials have already been confirmed.
“Everything is already planned. I will have my partner and my daughter with me, which is really great motivation. I think it's something you have to share — it's too big do it alone.”
Frames
7-7
LOG 1 — introducing Thibaud
LOG 2 — Moving in the right direction
A harsh European winter may have limited Thibaud’s time outside on the bike, but in this second log we learn that he has started the year feeling stronger than ever before.
Relentless rain, frequent winter storms, and unpredictable forecasts rendered conditions across much of Europe too hostile for riding outside throughout January.
“I've still been able to train a good amount. I think probably one of my best winters. I was able to focus and do what I planned. I think that this project has given me an additional motivation because I'm already thinking about L’Etape du tour. I feel more prepared already than I was at this time last year, for sure. Like I have more knowledge — more information. And it's not only about nutrition, because when you start digging into one topic, then you think about all the other aspects.”
In his first session with the Maurten Nutrition Team, Thibaud acquired a wealth of new understanding. It’s detail that isn’t just practically applicable in the ride, but also confidence-boosting for the whole process as well. It has directed the spotlight into areas that Thibaud had not previously considered. “I think another breakthrough for me has been that I was taking the carbs every 15 or 20 minutes, but not really considering how the course was going up or down. I should take advantage of the sections where I'm not putting in big efforts, because in these sections my ability to take in and digest carbs is higher. So I should have an average intake and then adapt to the profile. I completely didn't have this in mind.”
Frames
8-9
With help from the Nutrition Team, Thibaud is also learning how to train his body to tolerate more carbs, by fueling specific sessions appropriately. “I was unsure if I should use more drinks or gels or solids, and the team were able to really give me good reasons to use one or the other.” With support from the nutritionists, Thibaud is also gradually increasing his carbohydrates per hour.
“They convinced me to try to go higher, but also gave me very precise protocols to get to that level because it needs to be tested and trained. So it’s all very practical on how I can implement that in my current training to progressively get to the new target. That has been something really helpful.”
“I would say I'm at the end of base season and transitioning to more medium level intensity sessions.” It’s the right time to start really considering how to use fuel appropriately — during the workouts that are hard enough to deplete the body of its glycogen and lengthen the recovery window. These are the sessions that, when fueled right, can lead to incremental training adaptations. “On the turbo, I do a maximum of 2 hours. And when I do these sessions, I try to be somewhere between 60 and 90 grams an hour. Although it depends, because if it's a key session, I will push fueling towards, or even over, 90 grams.”
Thibaud has his eyes forward for the next period of training, as he also looks to include to local racing.
“I have a better idea of how to train. And I already have a really structured plan until July, not necessarily day-to-day, but I have the idea. I feel more prepared and, I would say, confident that I can do a good race — better than the years before. So yeah, confident and excited.”
Coming next: Log 3 will continue to explore how Thibaud’s training is progressing, as the longer daylight hours and warmer days enable him to add both intensity and volume.
Interview by Ross Lovell
Thibaud Marton - Cyclist | France
9 frames
