Team Serneke Allebike fueled by Umara is heading towards SUB7
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4.5 min reading
In 2023, Team Serneke Allebike Racing Team set the current record at Vätternrundan with a time of 7 hours and 5 minutes – despite a 4-minute stop for a bridge opening in Karlsborg! For the founders of the team, Oluf Skoogh and Anders Johansson, however, the dream of riding under 7 hours, a so-called "sub7," still lives on.
Therefore, we can today announce that the team will once again strive for the record! Team Serneke Allebike, fueled by Umara, aims to go under 7 hours at Vätternrundan 2025. To succeed in this requires not only strong cyclists and good partners but also experienced leaders. That’s why it feels especially good that Richard Larsén is back as team captain this year and that our own Simon Stark is in charge of the energy plan.
We had a chat with both of them to hear more about the initiative.
Therefore, we can today announce that the team will once again strive for the record! Team Serneke Allebike, fueled by Umara, aims to go under 7 hours at Vätternrundan 2025. To succeed in this requires not only strong cyclists and good partners but also experienced leaders. That’s why it feels especially good that Richard Larsén is back as team captain this year and that our own Simon Stark is in charge of the energy plan.
We had a chat with both of them to hear more about the initiative.
Interview with Simon Stark, head of energy intake for Team Serneke Allebike fueled by Umara.
Hello Simon! You are responsible for the energy intake in the record attempt and the quest for sub7. What are the biggest challenges for the team when it comes to sports nutrition?
"The biggest challenges are hydration, getting enough carbohydrates, and being able to absorb energy continuously during the race. A particular difficulty is that there are only two stops, and unlike regular cycling competitions, we can't get supplies from a car. This means that cyclists, if it’s warm, have to carry extra fluid, which increases weight. However, the positive aspect is that we minimize time loss by keeping the stops short, around one minute, which maintains the average speed."
How does the energy intake for these participants differ from that of a regular Vätternrundan cyclist?
"The intake is about 50–100% higher, with around 100–130 grams of carbohydrates per hour, and the energy is almost entirely liquid so the cyclists can manage the large amounts. A regular cyclist around Vättern produces about 110–170 watts on average, while these cyclists are around 240 watts and sometimes over 300 watts. The intensity is also much more varied depending on position in the group, which results in a high carbohydrate need. However, a controlled intensity makes it easier for the carbohydrates to last all the way."
How hard will you push their energy plans?
"I have implemented this setup twice before, and basically no one has reported stomach issues despite the intake of 120 grams of carbohydrates per hour, which corresponds to 132 grams of sports drink powder. The participants have trained with energy intake and have a high tolerance in their stomachs and intestines, which is crucial at high intensity. They also manage to create a ‘back suction’ in their muscles that helps the carbohydrates to be absorbed effectively. I am planning a similar setup this time and will add extra gels for those who can handle even higher intake if necessary."
If it gets hot, what can you do to manage it?
"If we could supply from a car, it would be easier, but now the participants must carry extra fluid themselves to maintain blood volume and allow for high sweating. At temperatures above 20 degrees, they will start with ice on their necks and receive ice-cold sports drink and extra fluids at the two stations. In total, they will drink between 6 and 8 dl per hour. This requires the cyclists to ride efficiently, stay cool with the right clothing, be hydrated before the start, and be strategic with both energy and fluids from the beginning."
It will be incredibly exciting to follow the team’s progress, and we wish them the best of luck. You can follow the team here.
Hello Simon! You are responsible for the energy intake in the record attempt and the quest for sub7. What are the biggest challenges for the team when it comes to sports nutrition?
"The biggest challenges are hydration, getting enough carbohydrates, and being able to absorb energy continuously during the race. A particular difficulty is that there are only two stops, and unlike regular cycling competitions, we can't get supplies from a car. This means that cyclists, if it’s warm, have to carry extra fluid, which increases weight. However, the positive aspect is that we minimize time loss by keeping the stops short, around one minute, which maintains the average speed."
How does the energy intake for these participants differ from that of a regular Vätternrundan cyclist?
"The intake is about 50–100% higher, with around 100–130 grams of carbohydrates per hour, and the energy is almost entirely liquid so the cyclists can manage the large amounts. A regular cyclist around Vättern produces about 110–170 watts on average, while these cyclists are around 240 watts and sometimes over 300 watts. The intensity is also much more varied depending on position in the group, which results in a high carbohydrate need. However, a controlled intensity makes it easier for the carbohydrates to last all the way."
How hard will you push their energy plans?
"I have implemented this setup twice before, and basically no one has reported stomach issues despite the intake of 120 grams of carbohydrates per hour, which corresponds to 132 grams of sports drink powder. The participants have trained with energy intake and have a high tolerance in their stomachs and intestines, which is crucial at high intensity. They also manage to create a ‘back suction’ in their muscles that helps the carbohydrates to be absorbed effectively. I am planning a similar setup this time and will add extra gels for those who can handle even higher intake if necessary."
If it gets hot, what can you do to manage it?
"If we could supply from a car, it would be easier, but now the participants must carry extra fluid themselves to maintain blood volume and allow for high sweating. At temperatures above 20 degrees, they will start with ice on their necks and receive ice-cold sports drink and extra fluids at the two stations. In total, they will drink between 6 and 8 dl per hour. This requires the cyclists to ride efficiently, stay cool with the right clothing, be hydrated before the start, and be strategic with both energy and fluids from the beginning."
It will be incredibly exciting to follow the team’s progress, and we wish them the best of luck. You can follow the team here.
Interview with Richard Larsén, Team Captain for Team Serneke Allebike
Hello Richard! Team captain again this year – how does it feel?
"Very fun and always a great honor to be the captain of a group like this. It’s a great luxury when everyone in the team operates at such a high level that the work almost becomes self-sustaining. It’s easy to be humble and proud when so many are working so hard for the success of the team, both before the start and on the actual competition day!"
In 2023 you set the record despite a bridge opening in Karlsborg, but the dream of sub7 is still alive. What will you do differently to achieve the goal this year?
"Yes, it was really fun that we managed to break the record despite an unexpected stop for the bridge opening. Even though the opening itself took time, it was primarily the mental challenge of an unplanned stop that was tough, especially when you are pushing yourself to the absolute limit. For 2025, we obviously hope to avoid more bridge openings and have good weather. I know that we as a team have the capacity to go under 7 hours, but to go that fast, everything around it also needs to flow smoothly."
What will be the biggest challenge for the team?
"The biggest challenge will be to keep the collaboration alive all the way. 315 km is very long, and when you’re really tired towards the end, it can be easy to lose concentration and motivation. That’s when we as a group need to come together and stick it out all the way to the finish. It’s perhaps in that moment that my role as captain becomes the most important. At the same time, everyone is so professional and motivated that I have never needed to push them extra. As I said, it’s a luxury to be part of such a fantastic team!"
Hello Richard! Team captain again this year – how does it feel?
"Very fun and always a great honor to be the captain of a group like this. It’s a great luxury when everyone in the team operates at such a high level that the work almost becomes self-sustaining. It’s easy to be humble and proud when so many are working so hard for the success of the team, both before the start and on the actual competition day!"
In 2023 you set the record despite a bridge opening in Karlsborg, but the dream of sub7 is still alive. What will you do differently to achieve the goal this year?
"Yes, it was really fun that we managed to break the record despite an unexpected stop for the bridge opening. Even though the opening itself took time, it was primarily the mental challenge of an unplanned stop that was tough, especially when you are pushing yourself to the absolute limit. For 2025, we obviously hope to avoid more bridge openings and have good weather. I know that we as a team have the capacity to go under 7 hours, but to go that fast, everything around it also needs to flow smoothly."
What will be the biggest challenge for the team?
"The biggest challenge will be to keep the collaboration alive all the way. 315 km is very long, and when you’re really tired towards the end, it can be easy to lose concentration and motivation. That’s when we as a group need to come together and stick it out all the way to the finish. It’s perhaps in that moment that my role as captain becomes the most important. At the same time, everyone is so professional and motivated that I have never needed to push them extra. As I said, it’s a luxury to be part of such a fantastic team!"