Are lactate gels already old news?
The professional cycling world is currently focused on the arrival of exogenous lactate gels. For years, scientists understood that the body uses lactate as an energy source, yet creating a practical, consumable product remained a significant hurdle. Now, three companies have entered the market with new formulas designed to deliver lactate alongside carbohydrates during intense physical activity.
Exolactate, Enervit, and SantaMadre are currently leading this trend, with their products appearing in WorldTour settings like the Tour de France. These gels aim to provide additional energy, yet the actual performance benefits remain debated by experts. Independent research is still thin, and questions persist regarding the optimal dosage and whether these supplements offer measurable advantages once an athlete has already maximized their carbohydrate intake.
Despite the lack of long-term data, these products have captured the attention of the endurance sports community, drawing comparisons to the early adoption of ketones. The conversation is shifting quickly, with some experts already suggesting that the current generation of gels may be limited by their specific chemical formulation.
A fourth manufacturer has now entered the field, claiming to have a superior approach that addresses the limitations of these initial products. As the market expands, observers remain split on whether this is a genuine breakthrough in sports nutrition or a temporary trend driven by product marketing. The coming months will likely see more data emerge as professional teams continue their testing and real-world implementation of these fuels.