"Significant Contribution": The mysterious factor behind Lidl-Trek's numerous victories this season.
Cycling and Otters, Unlikely Comrades:
Turns out, Mads Pedersen and an otter have more in common than you'd think. Both hail from Denmark, rock a slicked-back do, and have incorporated a specific dietary staple into their lifestyles: salmon. But the way they consume it differs significantly. While otters scour rivers for fresh salmon, Lidl-Trek's squad relies on hydrolyzed versions in the form of recovery drink tablets from Unbroken.
The team has been swearing by these tablets since last August. According to them, this new nutrition has played a pivotal role in their exceptional 2025 season, marked by six Giro d'Italia stage victories, the Grand Tour's ciclamino jersey, and the Amstel Gold Race win.
The genesis of this new dietary approach came from Lidl-Trek's team doctor, Jens Hinder. He took a keen interest in new products and reached out to Unbroken for a test run. After testing the product on himself, a group of amateur athletes, and finally the Lidl-Trek squad during the 2021 Vuelta a España, Hinder witnessed noticeable improvements.
One athlete who experimented with the tablets at the Vuelta was Mattias Skjelmose, who ended up taking the white jersey and Amstel Gold. "I started using it before and after the stages and felt good, so I kept it up," Skjelmose shared. "The Vuelta was a massive success, so it's possible that there were gains there. Honestly, I feel like my recovery has improved, and I'm in better shape on the bike day-to-day. My overall health feels better, too - I'm quite surprised at how good I feel."
But what's inside these magical tablets, and do they taste like fish? The tablets are made from Norwegian salmon protein and contain all nine essential amino acids, along with vitamin B12 and zinc to facilitate energy and immune recovery. While fish oil and oily fish are already recognized as beneficial sources of omega-3 fats – known for their role in cognitive function, muscle recovery, and reducing inflammation – these tablets offer a convenient, flavored alternative.
So, no, the tablets don't taste like fish. Instead, they come in four delectable flavors: apple, lemon and lime, mango, and orange. Starting next week at the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia Women, Lidl-Trek's men's and women's teams will proudly sport Unbroken's logo on their jerseys, further signifying their partnership with the brand.
Next time you see Skjelmose taking a swig at the finish line, take a moment to appreciate that it's not just electrolytes; there'll be a hint of salmon in that bottle, too.
So, are you ready to power your performance with salmon protein? Embrace the sea and achieve new heights with Unbroken's nutritional solution!
Incorporating the benefits of salmon into their regimens, Lidl-Trek's cyclists, such as Mattias Skjelmose, now rely on nutrition supplements from Unbroken, a health-and-wellness brand that offers hydrolyzed salmon protein tablets specifically designed for sports recovery and nutrition. These tablets, flavored in appealing choices like apple, lemon and lime, mango, and orange, promise not only to aid in energy and immune recovery but also to improve overall health and wellness.
