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Thibaud Marton — Cyclist | France
This is Fueled for a Year. Three amateur athletes, each with a unique goal on the horizon. One year of access to all that Maurten has, enabling them to be greater athletes. To achieve their goals.
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.
This article will grow as Thibaud progresses towards his start line. It’s a diary of check-ins throughout the year.
A goal only carries significance for the individual who sets it. “It can feel a bit silly because I'm not trying to win the Tour de France, so trying to get one more percent is not going to change my life. But still, I think it's fun to do so.” — Thibaud Marton.
LOG 1 — introducing Thibaud
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.”
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?”
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.”
