Team Sky hails fantastic British-developed energy gels from CNP

Innovative approach gives cyclists direct involvement in development of sports nutrition products; team looks forward to developing partnership with Manchester-based CNP

Team Sky has had an exciting first season, winning 22 races and stages and learning a lot from its debuts on the Pro Tour and in the Tour de France. The team also has a lot to look forward to in year two with new riders, additional staff and, especially, in the opportunity to build on the enthusiasm that it has generated amongst the public for a British-based road cycling team with the potential to take on the world.

One area the team has focused on is improving performance through marginal gains – whether they be through better technology or by improving riders’ fitness and recovery. A key innovation has been to allow the riders to be directly involved in developing their own sports nutrition products, thanks to the partnership between Team Sky and Manchester-based sports nutrition manufacturer CNP Professional.

Nigel Mitchell is head of nutrition with Team Sky. He explains: “While CNP’s commitment to R&D has put them at the forefront of the sports nutrition industry, their facilities have also allowed our riders to have direct input into the development of new products. We can decide on a new product to develop, then use trials and riders’ feedback to agree the final formulation.”

Mitchell cites CNP’s Pro Energy Gels as an example of this joint product development initiative. “The riders wanted an energy gel that would give them a sustained energy boost,” he says. “Once we had agreed the formula, they tried a range of flavour alternatives until everyone was happy.

“Now we use the gels all the time: they provide just the right energy at exactly the right time. They have been fantastic for Team Sky, giving the riders a crucial marginal gain in performance.”

Working with CNP is giving Team Sky’s riders the chance to create exactly the products they want, so it’s no surprise that they are so enthusiastic about them. “It’s not just the gels,” adds Mitchell. “For example, the CNP Flapjacks are really popular – lots of the riders say they’re best energy bars they’ve ever had.”

Alongside the gels and bars, Team Sky is also using CNPs’ protein shakes, such as Pro Recover. This post-race/training recovery drink is designed to give the body the nutrients and proteins it needs to recuperate after an intense cycling session. Mitchell describes it as a “very useful and convenient way of supplying the quality protein the athlete requires for recovery.”

“The big benefit of working with CNP is the opportunity to develop new ideas,” he adds. “I’m really looking forward to continuing our work together in Team Sky’s second year.”

CNP Professional is one of the UK's leading sports nutrition specialist companies. The range developed for Team Sky is available from independent cycle shops or from the CNP website. For more information visit www.cnpprofessional.co.uk, or call +44 (0) 161 368 0942 for sports nutrition advice and +44 (0) 161 368 3850 for sales.

CNP now supplies a wide range of products to Team Sky including protein shakes, nutrition bars and the two energy gels, Pro Energy gel (caffeine-free) and Pro Energy Max gel.

CNP Professional is a leading supplier of sports nutrition supplements including protein shakes, protein bars, creatine supplements, meal replacements, mass gainers, weight loss supplements and post work out shakes, all designed for the ultimate in sports nutrition.

Kerry Kayes, the founder of CNP Professional, is a former national bodybuilding champion. He has been involved in sports nutrition for many years and his dietary expertise has established him as 'the man in the know' to sportspeople worldwide. He advises athletes as varied as premier league footballers, rugby clubs, triathletes, round the world yachting teams, runners, boxers, cyclists and motor sports teams.

CNP Professional supplements are carefully formulated to ensure that the body is able to make best use of the nutrients. Unlike many nutritional supplements, CNP Professional's products are easy to drink.

There are several articles explaining protein nutrition supplements on the CNP website - go to the home page and click on 'nutrition' under the articles section.

CNP
Unit 11 Hyde Point
Dunkirk Lane
Hyde
Cheshire
SK14 4NL
Press enquiries: Toni Turner or Alison Haynes at The Publicity Works
Tel: +44 (0) 1263 761000 Email: cnp@publicityworks.biz
Paul Riley, Marketing Manager, CNP Professional: +44 (0)161 368 3850

This release was published on openPR.