For elite cyclists, maximum sustainable energy expenditure and adequate caloric intake are critical factors alongside VO2 max.

“when you are an elite athlete and that is something we call maximum sustainable energy expenditure so obviously to turn around more calories per time that's that obviously means at over time you will use more calories as well and this in order now to support growth you obviously have to input more calories also because you're burning more you need to to bring more in otherwise you are starting to run into deficit and your worst case end up with problems so feeding that let's say calorie consumption becomes crucial”