jonas Abrahamsen is back doing repulsive things on his indoor trainer.
Uno-X Mobility’s Tour de France star just crash-landed out of his off-season with two weeks of pure Zwift punishment, capped by a heinous 5-hour interval session.
Abrahamsen’s truly terrible 10 x 20-minute workout this weekend averaged more than 300 watts and was fueled at more than 500 calories per hour.
All told, Abrahamsen’s first fortnight of training for 2026 included 20 hours of butt-numbing, brain-mashing indoor riding.
And that was only just the start.
Based in oslo, the 30-year-old will be stuck indoors for many months through Norway’s long, dark winter, praying for Uno-X’s sunny team training camps to start.
Last winter, Abrahamsen worked up to more than 25 hours per week staring at Zwift.
Yes. Twenty. Five. Hours.
Only weight-training sessions and some rare arctic expeditions on a CX bike broke the misery of Abrahamsen’s Zwift masochism.
But here’s the thing.
The crazed norseman seems to love every minute.
“Sometimes I like to do something crazy,” Abrahamsen told Velo earlier this year.
“Sometimes it does something with your head when you’re going five, six hours on a home trainer. I think you get a new barrier, and you
Jonas Abrahamsen‘s Extreme Training: Fueling a worldtour Debut with 680g of Carbs
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Norwegian cyclist Jonas Abrahamsen is pushing the boundaries of endurance training, fueled by a remarkably high-carbohydrate diet. As his team, Uno-X Mobility, prepares for its debut in the UCI worldtour in 2026, Abrahamsen is logging intense indoor training sessions – including 5-hour Zwift rides – supported by a fueling strategy that sees him consume up to 680 grams of carbohydrates during a single session. This approach,championed by sports director Michael Bu,highlights a growing trend in high-carb fueling for elite cyclists.
The Rise of High-Carb Fueling in Cycling
The demands of professional cycling are immense, requiring athletes to sustain high power outputs for extended periods. Traditionally, cyclists focused on a balance of macronutrients. Though, recent research and practical application, as detailed in resources like those from Outside Online, demonstrate the benefits of prioritizing carbohydrate intake, especially during intense training.
Carbohydrates are the primary fuel source for high-intensity exercise. Adequate carbohydrate availability allows cyclists to maintain glycogen stores – the stored form of glucose in muscles and the liver – preventing fatigue and optimizing performance.
Abrahamsen’s Fueling Protocol: A deep Dive
Abrahamsen’s carbohydrate intake during training is particularly noteworthy.During a recent session, he consumed 680 grams of carbohydrates, equating to 136 grams per hour. This translates to approximately 550 calories per hour from carbohydrates alone.
To put this into viewpoint, the typical recommendation for carbohydrate intake during high-intensity endurance exercise ranges from 60-90 grams per hour for most athletes. Abrahamsen’s intake is significantly higher, reflecting the extreme demands of his training volume and the specific goals of his team.
This strategy aligns with the beliefs of Uno-X Mobility’s sports director, Michael Bu, who advocates for “big carbs, all the time.” The team’s approach is rooted in maximizing carbohydrate availability to support the intense training loads required for success at the WorldTour level.
Uno-X Mobility’s WorldTour ambitions
Uno-X Mobility’s promotion to the UCI WorldTour is a significant milestone for the Scandinavian cycling team. VeloNews reports that the team was promoted at the end of 2023 and will compete in the premier cycling calendar starting in 2026.
This step up in competition requires a substantial increase in training intensity and volume. Abrahamsen’s rigorous indoor training regime, coupled with his high-carbohydrate fueling strategy, is designed to prepare him for the challenges of racing against the world’s best cyclists. Five-hour Zwift sessions, while demanding for any athlete, are intended to build the endurance and strength necessary to compete at the highest level.
Key Takeaways:
* High-Carb Fueling: Jonas Abrahamsen consumes up to 680 grams of carbohydrates during a single training session (136g/hour).
* WorldTour Planning: This fueling strategy is part of a broader plan to prepare Abrahamsen and Uno-X Mobility for their 2026 WorldTour debut.
* Intense Training Volume: Abrahamsen’s training includes 5-hour indoor sessions on Zwift, demonstrating a significant commitment to preparation.
* Team Philosophy: The team’s approach, led by sports director Michael Bu, prioritizes maximizing carbohydrate availability for optimal performance.
Abrahamsen’s dedication and Uno-X Mobility’s innovative approach to training and fueling will be closely watched as they embark on their WorldTour journey. The team’s success will likely contribute to a continued evolution in the understanding and application of high-carbohydrate fueling strategies within professional cycling.
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