Why A Heavier Cyclist Is A Better Cyclist | GCN Show Ep. 687
For decades, cyclists have obsessed over dropping weight—lighter bikes, lighter bodies, skeletal frames at the finish line. But now, a radical shift is underway: top-level coaches are arguing that heavier riders, with more muscle mass and raw power, may actually perform better. Tadej Pogačar looked visibly stockier at Strade Bianche, sparking speculation about deliberate weight gain ahead of Paris-Roubaix and Milano-San Remo. Could the skeletal climber archetype finally be giving way to something healthier—and faster?
Punti chiave
Pogačar appeared noticeably heavier at Strade Bianche 2025 compared to 2024, likely a deliberate strategy to add muscle and raw power for Paris-Roubaix and Milano-San Remo, two races he has yet to win.
Top coaches like Olaf Alexander Boot believe athlete weights will increase due to better nutrition, and that added power from extra muscle mass can outweigh the penalty of carrying more weight.
For amateur riders, being slightly heavier with more muscle mass offers tangible benefits: more consistent training, better bone density, fewer illnesses, and improved performance on the flat or rolling terrain that characterizes most races.
A cultural shift toward heavier, more muscular cyclists could help combat the sport's longstanding issues with eating disorders and unhealthy body image, reducing the skeletal ideal that has dominated for decades.
Pro cyclists in the 1960s and 70s—Merckx, LeMond, Hinault—looked more robust and muscular than today's riders, suggesting the ultra-light trend is relatively recent and not necessarily optimal.
In breve
The cycling world may be shifting away from the unhealthy obsession with being as light as possible, with top pros and coaches embracing more muscle mass for raw power gains—especially on flatter, explosive terrain—and the change could have a profoundly positive effect on the sport's culture around weight and body image.
Pogačar's Bulkier Look at Strade Bianche
Pogačar appeared stockier in 2025, possibly a deliberate power gain for spring classics.
At Strade Bianche 2025, Tadej Pogačar looked noticeably heavier than in previous years—side-by-side photos from 2024 and 2025 show a more muscular build, though white shorts may have played visual tricks. If the weight gain is real, it was almost certainly intentional, aimed at his spring objectives: Flanders, Roubaix, and Milano-San Remo, races he has yet to win.
For Paris-Roubaix, the flattest monument, extra raw power and acceleration could be the difference between keeping up with Mathieu van der Poel and beating him. San Remo's finishing climbs—the Cipressa and Poggio—are not steep, so added muscle for explosive efforts may prove decisive. Pogačar does not resemble the skeletal alien climbers of old; he looks robust, functional, and increasingly powerful.
Coaches Predict Heavier Athletes
Top triathlon coach says better nutrition will lead to heavier, more powerful cyclists.
“The increase in power could be far more beneficial for those cyclists than the problem they might get from extra mass.”
Why Heavier Could Be Better
A Personal Reckoning with Weight
Si stopped weighing himself daily six months after retiring from racing.
A Personal Reckoning with Weight
Si reflected on his own obsession with weight during his racing career: «I was always conscious of what I was eating and how much I weighed… it was about six months after I'd finished racing that I stepped onto the scales and thought, what on earth are you doing?» He eventually realized he didn't need to maintain his racing weight and felt better—stronger, healthier—after deliberately adding muscle mass.
The Culture of Body Dysmorphia in Cycling
Cycling has long conditioned athletes to see skeletal frames as aspirational.
Cyclists have been hardwired to associate performance with being as light as possible. Sparrow arms, visible ribs, wafer-thin skin—these have been normalized to the point where anything else seems abnormal. But this culture has led to widespread eating disorders and unhealthy relationships with food, both among pros and amateurs.
A shift toward heavier, more muscular riders could have a profoundly positive effect on the sport. If pros like Pogačar prove you can be bigger and still dominant, it could reduce the pressure on younger riders to starve themselves. For amateurs, the message is even clearer: most races aren't won at the top of a mountain. Raw power, consistency, and health matter more than being skeletal.
Strade Bianche 2025 Results
Pogačar won his fourth Strade Bianche; Chabbey took surprise women's victory.
New Bikes: Five Launches This Week
Orbea, Cervélo, Bianchi, Merida, and Giant all released new models.
Orbea Carpe Lightweight e-bike with Shimano motor, integrated lights, and built-in lock. Sister bike to the Diem, designed for urban riding.
Cervélo Caledonia Entry-level endurance road bike with 40mm tire clearance, mudguard compatibility, and prices starting at £3,000.
Bianchi Infinito Endurance bike with 40mm tire clearance, 12 watts more aero than previous version, and onboard storage for real-world riding.
Merida Reacto Next-gen aero bike, 15 watts faster than the previous Reacto according to independent testing by Tour magazine in Germany.
Giant Propel New aero bike weighing just 6.56 kg off the peg, with an 18-watt advantage over the previous version (12W aero, 5.5W tires, 0.5W rotating drag).
Persone
Glossario
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