'The food at Visma is extraordinary' - Fiorelli details team's nutrition strategy

In an interview with Bici.Pro, Fiorelli was asked about photos of his food at the Visma training camp that the Italian posted to social media.

“I posted those photos precisely because I was impressed by the food,” said Fiorelli. “The food at Visma is extraordinary.”

The Italian rider who signed from VF Group-Bardiani CSF - Faizanè after six seasons at the Italian team noted how he had struggled with weight in the past, and how Visma’s approach has surprised him in a positive way.

“You know that weight has often been an issue. I never thought about quitting for that reason, but I couldn't get to the bottom of it. It wore me down. Not because I couldn't eat what I wanted or dessert, but because of the quantities. If I ate too much, my weight went up,” said Fiorelli.

”Here, on the other hand, they make me eat a lot. At training camp, I thought more than once that I wouldn't be able to finish my meal because I thought it was too much.”

Fiorelli detailed the importance that the team places on making sure their riders are fuelled up “Until I'm about to burst, I swear. It's absurd,” said Fiorelli when asked if the team made him eat plenty. 

“To give you an idea, when I was doing four hours, I ate up to 500 grams of cooked rice in the morning, which is 250 grams of uncooked rice, made into porridge. I was bursting. Even on rest days, there's always food to eat. And I asked: how is this possible?”

Fiorelli understands the reasoning behind the Dutch team’s approach to food, as much as it can be a challenge for him to get the calories in sometimes, and he explained the efficiency of his new diet.

“I ate what was written in the app, and the fact is that I'm still the same. I haven't gained weight. In the past few months, if I ate an extra leaf of lettuce, I gained weight. Here, however, they explained to me that I have to adapt my body and get used to eating.”

“But if they tell you to do it, there's a reason. Eating is the main difference, and I really wasn't expecting it. Everything is portioned out. We have the FoodCoach app, which tells you what you need to eat. You arrive at the buffet, and there are three scales. You weigh this and weigh that, go to your table, and start eating. And it feels like Christmas dinner.”