In elite cycling, performance is built on far more than training alone. Behind every stage win, breakaway, or lead-out effort lies an essential yet often invisible component: recovery. And at the heart of effective recovery sits one crucial element – sleep.
“Sleep is fundamental for both psychological and physical recovery”, explains Charlotte Edelsten, the performance sleep specialist who works with Soudal Quick-Step. “For riders performing at the highest level, the ability to consistently recover well is what allows them to perform day after day, especially during demanding races like the Grand Tours.”
Sleep is widely recognised as the single most important recovery resource available to athletes. It supports every dimension of performance:
- Physical adaptation and muscle repair
- Emotional regulation
- Cognitive sharpness, decision making and reaction time
When sleep declines, every other aspect of performance is affected — often immediately and because sleep quality is so critical, the team works hard to optimise riders’ sleep environments, even amidst the constant travel required in professional cycling. “Comfort is key for good sleep,” says Charlotte. “When we assess sleep, we look at both quality and quantity. Both are essential, and when they are optimised, the athlete’s subjective feeling of recovery improves – which is extremely important during long races.”
This is where team partner Manifattura Falomo plays a vital role. During key races, including the Grand Tours, the team travels with Manifattura Falomo’s Body Trainer mattresses to ensure riders can rely on a consistent and familiar sleep setup each night — even while moving between different hotels. “Using high quality mattresses means we can provide a consistent level of comfort throughout a race”, Charlotte explains. “That familiarity helps riders fall asleep more easily and sleep more deeply, even in unfamiliar hotel environments.”
During the night, athletes’ bodies activate essential processes such as muscle repair, cellular regeneration, and the release of growth hormone. For these processes to work efficiently, the body must be properly aligned and free from pressure points. A suitable mattress:
- Keeps the spine and pelvis in a neutral position
- Reduces muscle and joint tension
- Promotes deeper, more stable sleep, which is crucial for athletes
Beyond comfort and consistency, personalized mattresses help create a more controlled, hygienic sleep environment by satisfying the specific physiological needs of an athlete, such as temperature regulation, moisture management, and biomechanical support. This reduces the risk of illness – a crucial factor during three-week races, where even a minor setback can influence performance or derail an entire campaign.
“Healthy Sleep’’ is more than just a slogan for Manifattura Falomo – it is a true lifestyle and a wellness philosophy embraced by our athletes.
In a sport where marginal gains can make a significant difference, creating the right sleep conditions is an investment in performance itself. By working closely with Manifattura Falomo, the team ensures that recovery continues long after the racing stops for the day, allowing riders to restore body and mind and face each stage with renewed strength.
Sleep is truly an “invisible workout,” improving strength, recovery, concentration, and overall health. But sleep quality depends heavily on the surface you lie on. For an athlete, investing in a high-quality mattress isn’t a luxury — it’s a strategic choice that directly affects performance, recovery, and long-term athletic longevity.
Photo credit: ©Wout Beel