2023 Tour de France Women: Cold Baths and Light Therapy Cabin – Behind the Scenes of Recovery at FDJ-Suez Team
Recovery is a crucial element for every high-level athlete, and female cyclists are no exception. Each day, after completing a stage, a ritual of recovery unfolds behind the scenes. As they cross the finish line, the cyclists follow a comprehensive protocol: revitalizing massages, consumption of tailored meals and beverages to rehydrate and restore energy, and not to forget, the cold bath. Following the fifth stage of the Tour de France Women, spanning from Onet-le-Château (Aveyron) to Albi (Tarn), Grace Brown and Vittoria Guazzini, both riders of the FDJ-Suez team, take turns in the frigid water barrel set up under a tent in front of their hotel.
Depending on the external temperature and the exertion of the day, the water’s temperature can range from 8 to 14 degrees Celsius. After the fifth stage, when temperatures had soared to 30 degrees Celsius, the bath’s temperature wouldn’t drop below 12 degrees Celsius. This “chill session” lasts for 12 minutes, with each rider approaching the water with varying degrees of ease. Italian rider Vittoria Guazzini keeps her upper body above the water, while Australian rider Grace Brown fully immerses herself. “The cold bath helps reset our legs,” smiles the 2022 Australian time trial champion, Grace Brown, with only her head above the water barrel. “Especially on a hot day like this, it cools down the entire body. It helps me have better legs the next day.”
Neuroscience in the Service of Recovery Moreover, the French team has a unique mobile unit at their disposal during the Tour de France. Inside, there’s a spacious white armchair adorned with LED light bars positioned above it, resembling a sun. “This is a neuroscience device that incorporates various relaxation techniques, including heart coherence to lower heart rate,” explains Eric Lozaïc, associate director of Cryorecup, the service provider for FDJ-Suez. The concept involves the rider reclining in the chair in a “zero gravity” position (chest aligned with knees), which naturally reduces the heart rate. “She then follows the guidance provided by an audio program, while the lights help initiate a slowdown in her overall metabolism concerning heart rate, blood pressure, and focus,” Eric Lozaïc elaborates. These sessions typically last between fifteen and twenty-five minutes.
This recovery process serves several purposes: “enhancing deep slow-wave sleep, the phase of the sleep cycle crucial for tissue and emotional repair, and stress reduction,” adds Eric Lozaïc.
Varying Levels of Reception “Neuro-relaxation is especially beneficial for athletes under substantial pressure or those struggling to manage their emotions,” explains Flavien Soenen, performance director at FDJ-Suez since last year. “Certain recovery systems may resonate more with some athletes than others. This allows us to personalize recovery methods to optimize their chances of peak performance, particularly in a multi-stage race like the Tour.”
However, not all riders respond to these methods equally. For instance, Grace Brown isn’t particularly inclined. “I’m not very skilled with these sorts of things,” she chuckles. “I try to focus, but my mind ends up wandering, and it doesn’t work very well for me. However, I know it works well for Cécilie [Uttrup Ludwig] and Vittoria [Guazzini], who come out very relaxed,” she adds. This sentiment is echoed by the young 21-year-old Italian rider, who now finds the cabin indispensable.
“I’ve always had trouble falling asleep, especially during races, because I get nervous and overthink things. This cabin is very helpful; it helps me relax. I try to use it as much as possible.”
Vittoria Guazzini, FDJ-Suez rider, speaking to franceinfo: sport Although the cabin is available after each Tour stage, not all riders use it on a daily basis. “It takes a bit of time. When we have slightly longer transfers and need to go through massage, the cold bath, and then the cabin, it can become a bit overwhelming. Athletes also need some personal time,” notes the performance director.
Furthermore, the usage of the cabin is at the discretion of the riders. “We suggest it based on profiles where we know it could be beneficial. However, we don’t impose it on the riders because for neuro-relaxation to work, it needs to come from the athlete, they need to be convinced,” observes Flavien Soenen. Additionally, the team can rely on localized cryotherapy, used in cases of inflammation or edema resulting from falls. A type of laser gun emits cold gas for precisely three minutes to treat the targeted area.
A Special Arrangement for the Tour For the French team, this cutting-edge investment is deemed worthwhile. For the second consecutive year, FDJ-Suez rents this cabin during the Tour de France, at a cost of “several thousand euros for the week.” While this incurs additional expenses, the team views it as necessary. “We’ve observed that athletes finish the Tour in excellent condition, capable of maintaining a high level of performance until the end, and recover better at the conclusion of the Tour de France compared to the beginning,” concludes Flavien Soenen, the performance director.
