If you’ve been closely watching the post-stage routines at the Tour de France this year, you might have noticed riders from Visma-Lease a Bike and EF Education-EasyPost reaching for small blue cartons moments after finishing. From Matteo Jorgenson and Jonas Vingegaard to the EF squad, the ritual is the same: a quick sip from a bottle, then the blue carton disappears in one go. So, what exactly is inside?
The answer is surprisingly straightforward: cherry juice. More specifically, a concentrated sour cherry extract rich in antioxidants, flavonoids, and anti-inflammatory compounds.
Why cherry juice?
According to EF team doctor David Hulse, the drink helps kickstart recovery immediately after the finish. “They contain extremely high concentrations of antioxidants and flavonoids,” he explains, “and have two functions. One is to reduce inflammation, which is an important part of recovery for multi-day stage races. The other is to mop up the free radicals, which are potentially harmful and can cause further inflammation.”
The blue cartons seen in the hands of Visma and EF riders come from the Dutch nutrition brand Amacx, which supplies a range of performance and recovery products. The cherry juice is one of their post-stage staples, and it’s been part of Visma’s recovery protocol for years.
“Cherry juice is a good dose of antioxidants,” said Jorgenson. “We’ve been using it for a long time. I think it works well – and I like the taste.”
EF’s riders are reportedly taking two doses a day – one immediately after each stage, and another in the evening – to maintain the recovery effect.
From Fanta to flavonoids
In earlier eras, riders might have been handed a can of sugary soda to replenish glycogen stores quickly. “The idea was to deliver a high amount of simple sugars,” Hulse explains. “Now we’re making use of that fuelling window, but with a high dose of antioxidants to start the recovery process right at the finish line.”
Other teams have their own variations. UAE Team Emirates-XRG’s Tadej Pogačar drinks a similar sour cherry recovery formula supplied by Enervit, often served in a plastic bottle.
While many recovery products are complex blends of carbohydrates, proteins, and other micronutrients, cherry juice is a simpler, natural alternative that riders seem to enjoy – and stick with.
“It’s also very palatable,” Hulse notes. Jorgenson agrees: “The taste is good.”
So while the blue cartons might seem mysterious on the surface, they’re proof that sometimes, elite-level recovery begins with something as familiar as fruit juice.
