Before Tadej Pogachar (Slovenia) blew up in the men's road race at the UCI Road World Championships in Zurich on Sunday, Michael Woods (Canada) caused a stir on the cycling internet. just an hour or so after the 273.9km road race started later, a TV camera caught Woods eating with a spoon from a plastic bowl while riding.

Some on social media and television thought Woods was carbo-loading late or enjoying Sunday brunch. Others quickly realized that the Canadian national champion was eating bicarbonate gel, which is believed to help mitigate the negative effects of lactic acid buildup.

“Michael Woods is just tucking into brunch, not using his hands or cutlery.

British journalist Peter Cousins suggested, “The highlight so far is Michael Woods scooping baking soda from Tupperware.”

“It is interesting to see Mike Woods ingesting Morten baking soda late in the race. This baking soda lasts up to four hours in the blood,” explained former professional rider Greg Hederson.

Woods confirmed after the race that it was a simple marginal gain.

He told Flobikes, “I just used Morten bicarbonate.

“But the problem was that it only lasted five hours, and I had to drink it about an hour after the race.”

Because the elite men's road race in Zurich lasted six and a half hours, Woods had to take the gel during the race rather than before the race on the team bus.

Unfortunately for Woods, after an intense race, he was unable to make the final cut and join the medal contenders.

“When Tadej went, no one could keep up. He is the best rider in the world,” he said briefly of Pogachar's 100km attack and 50km solo victory.

Woods finished 54th, 12:09 behind Pogachar.

“It was a super hard day. I can't even describe it, it was just a hard day.”

“I attacked a few times but got lapped. I missed my chance to win a medal. That's the reality.” [Unlimited access to all coverage of the 2024 UCI Road World Championships, including breaking news and analysis from local journalists, including junior, under-23 and elite time trials and road races. For more information.