Supplements play a very important role in modern nutrition, not just that of professional athletes. Il The way of expressing athletic performance has changed radically and supplements are changing accordingly.
We went from Paolo Calabresi, Marketing Director Sport & Fitness of energy and we asked him some questions, to understand how everything related to the world of is born and developsintegration.
Are there prototypes in supplements?
Certainly, but a premise is important: At Enervit, the design, testing, and production, right up to marketing, are all handled directly within the company. It's an internal process that sets us apart and, in many cases, represents an advantage over other players in the sector.
So how is a prototype born?
The Marketing department together with the Enervit Team, that is the scientific area composed of a group of professionals competent in nutrition and experts in their sector, such as doctors, researchers, nutritionists, biologists, specialty technicians, works closely with athletes and team staff. It understands the needs and then transfers them to the Research & Development department. From here the creation of the first laboratory prototypes begins, followed by “pilot” productions. These are the ones that will be tested by the athletes.
Therefore, it is also essential to establish a very close relationship of trust!
Yes, it is fundamental. It is established a real, very close collaboration that allows us to develop the final productThe product developed with the athletes will then be launched on the market and made available to the end consumer.
Do you use athlete feedback?
Of course, they are essential for the development of new products. In every team there are particularly demanding athletes, we receive their feedback through the team nutritionists. Pogacar, for example, is very attentive and sensitive to the nutritional aspect, he leaves nothing to chance and often the requests for the team come directly from him.
On average, how long does it take to develop supplements?
When it comes to ad hoc productions for athletes, thanks to our internal production, the deadlines are very tight.. When the product has to be made available for the market, there is a whole series of processes that must be respected, starting from the conception up to the distribution, and which last several months..
Have you ever had a supplement tested and made changes to the formula based on the recommendations of the pros?
Yes, it's part of that product development phase, which allows us to exploit the athletes' great sensitivity to every single aspect.
What are the main requests of the riders?
Maximize carbohydrate intake in a small space, minimizing the number of products to be consumed during competition and training hours. For us at energy it is essential to ensure ahigh tolerability to avoid gastrointestinal problems. From the point of view of organoleptic experience, it is fundamental minimize sweetness, This is a non-trivial aspect when talking about products that have a high concentration of carbohydrates and provide a good variety in terms of taste and type.
Has a company like Enervit also noticed the change in running style compared to the past when it comes to supplements?
Yes, the way we run has changed radically. Races are frenetic right from the start, often the first hour of running is the one with the highest average speed. Training camps have also become opportunities to prepare for races by simulating all the situations you'll encounter in the race. Nutritional aspects are tested in training and become crucial during the race. Athletes need the maximum amount of carbohydrates in each single intake.
What is your answer?
We have made the new C2:1PRO line which is the result of the last two years of collaboration with the professionals of UAE Team Emirates e Trek-Segafredo. It is an innovative line that responds perfectly to specific needs.
What needs are we talking about?
The first is have the maximum amount of assimilable energy available, then a high tolerability, minimal bulk, variety of taste and type of product. The products of the Enervit C2:1PRO line all have a common formulation based on glucose and fructose in the ratio 2:1The line boasts three registered patents.
In terms of numbers, how much does a WorldTour team consume?
We provide a complete set of supplements for before, during and after. Consumption is extremely high because nutrition has become a fundamental aspect of athletes' lives. For example for the “during” we're hovering around these numbers: 15.000 gels, 20.000 bars, a ton of isotonic drink and a quintal of protein powder.
