As the 2024 Tour de France begins, some riders are experimenting with a novel nutritional product designed to enhance performance by supplying lactate directly to the body. The edible gel, named ExoLactate, has been developed by Basque scientists led by Aitor Viribay, the former head of human science at Ineos Grenadiers. It aims to provide athletes with up to a 3 percent increase in power output, a margin considered significant enough to influence race outcomes.

Traditionally, lactate has been viewed as a metabolic waste product contributing to muscle fatigue during intense exercise, often referred to mistakenly as “lactic acid.” However, advances in physiology have shown that lactate itself is not harmful; rather, the acidity caused by hydrogen ions during anaerobic exertion leads to muscle burn and fatigue. Lactate serves as a key energy substrate under high-demand conditions, particularly when oxygen availability limits aerobic metabolism.

ExoLactate gels contain 5 grams of lactate alongside 40 grams of carbohydrates, with riders potentially consuming up to four gels per hour during mountain stages—equivalent to around 20 grams of lactate hourly. This intake significantly surpasses the endogenous lactate the body generates during intense efforts, aiming to replenish energy more efficiently and conserve glycogen reserves in muscles. According to Viribay, this strategy could delay fatigue, allowing athletes to sustain higher intensities for longer periods and retain more energy for critical parts of a race.

The product also targets the central nervous system, as lactate is known to serve as an energy source for the brain and may modulate fatigue perception. Athletes testing ExoLactate have reported a “cerebral effect,” describing improved mental clarity and reduced sensation of tiredness, even at moderate exercise intensities. Additionally, lactate’s role as a signaling molecule may contribute to enhanced recovery post-exercise.

ExoLactate is being introduced discreetly in this year’s Tour, with one unnamed team reportedly purchasing exclusive rights to a limited initial batch estimated in the low tens of thousands of sachets. The gels are expected to retail around £5 each when they become widely available after the race.

The concept of supplementing lactate directly is not entirely new. In 2022, UAE Team Emirates-XRG trialled a lactate-containing drink, but the product had low lactate concentration and an unpalatable taste, limiting its effectiveness and acceptance among riders. The creators of ExoLactate emphasize that their innovation lies in making a lactate supplement that athletes can tolerate during high-intensity competition.

This development reflects a growing understanding in sports science of lactate’s multifaceted role in energy metabolism and performance. By harnessing lactate’s benefits through nutritional supplementation, some riders hope to gain a measurable edge in cycling’s most demanding event.