Pre-stage breakfast
1–4 g/kg CHO 2–4 hours before each 9:00 AM start, from foods you have rehearsed — oatmeal with banana and honey, white rice with jam, a bagel with jam. Low fiber, low fat, no experiments across the weekend.
Nutrition basics for Leadville Stage Race
Three windows shape every endurance result: what you eat in the hours before the start, what you take in on the bike, and how you recover once you cross the line.
Between-stage recovery (the real edge)
Within 60 min of each finish: 1.0–1.2 g/kg CHO + 0.3–0.4 g/kg protein and 150 % of estimated fluid loss with sodium. Add a real meal within 2 hours (rice + protein + vegetables). Elevate legs, get 8+ hours of sleep, keep dinner low-fiber before Stage 3.
Race-day morning timeline
| T-4 h | Wake, coffee, breakfast 1–2 g/kg CHO (oatmeal + banana + honey, or bagel + jam). 17 fl oz fluid with sodium. |
|---|---|
| T-2 h | Second small feed 30–50 g CHO (rice cake or bagel). Chamois, sunscreen, layers on. |
| T-90 min | Bike check: pressure, brakes, computer, pack loaded. Layer for 40 °F start. |
| T-45 min | Roll to start or 15-min spin. 7–10 fl oz sports drink. Restroom. |
| T-20 min | First caffeine dose (100–200 mg). Final layering call. Start-line queue. |
| T-5 min | Half a gel + sip. Breathe. Confirm HR/power start plan. |
| T+0 | 9:00 AM gun. Neutral rollout — sit in, ride patiently. |
| Post-finish +60 min | Recovery: 1.0–1.2 g/kg CHO + 0.3–0.4 g/kg protein + 150 % fluid replacement with sodium. |
Download the Printable Leadville MTB Stage Race Race Guide
Get a practical planning document with the course breakdown, aid-station strategy, fueling and hydration worksheets, race-morning timeline, equipment checklist, crew notes, and space for your own plan.
Frequently asked questions
Generic fueling plans don't work for Leadville Stage Race.
Every athlete is different. FTP, finish time, body weight, sweat rate, weather, nutrition preferences and race goals all change what you should eat and drink.
FuelQ Pro builds a personalized race fueling strategy tuned to your ride — carbohydrate, hydration, sodium, caffeine and recovery, mapped to the course.
Start with the free checklist
A Race Fueling Plan gives you a personalized strategy for this event. The free checklist helps you prepare the basics first: race-week setup, 48-hour prep, race morning, hydration, sodium, caffeine, aid stations, and backup calories.
