Pioneers and Champions: Noteworthy Vegan Pro Cyclists
Over the past decade, a growing number of professional cyclists have turned to veganism, proving that animal products are not essential for peak performance. Their motivations vary, ranging from ethical beliefs to perceived health and recovery benefits. The list of successful plant-based riders continues to grow, spanning various cycling disciplines.
The Road and Track Stars
- Dotsie Bausch: An American track cyclist and 2012 Olympic silver medalist, Bausch is a prominent advocate for plant-based nutrition, founding the non-profit organization Switch4Good to educate about the benefits of a dairy-free diet. Her powerful performances at an older age for her discipline challenged conventional wisdom.
- Anna Henderson: This British track and road cyclist, and 2024 Olympic silver medalist, became vegan after connecting her food to animal products and has since become a vocal proponent of the diet, expressing a desire to see more riders adopt a similar lifestyle.
- Emily Ehrlich: The 2025 USA Cycling Pro Road National Time Trial Champion embraced a vegan diet in 2019, influenced by her Buddhist beliefs and animal agriculture awareness. She credits her high-energy levels to a whole-foods, plant-based approach rich in grains, beans, and greens.
- Simon Geschke: The German road cyclist, known for his long career, switched to a vegan diet in 2016. During his time at Team CCC, his blood tests showed superior health markers compared to his teammates, a trend that caught the attention of team medics.
- Adam Hansen: This now-retired Australian road cyclist, famous for completing a record-breaking 20 consecutive Grand Tours, credited his vegan diet with giving him the health and stamina needed for his extraordinary career.
Cross and Mountain Bike Specialists
- Christine Vardaros: A former elite-level cyclocross racer, Vardaros has been a long-time vegan and believes her diet contributed to faster recovery and fewer illnesses throughout her competitive years.
- Frans Claes: This Belgian mountain biker has seen considerable success while competing on a plant-based diet, including multiple national titles and a top-ten finish at the World Championships.
Ultra-Distance and Endurance
- Tyler Pearce: Known as 'The Vegan Cyclist' online, Pearce is an ultra-distance athlete who successfully completed a record-setting bike journey from Canada to Mexico on a fully plant-based diet, consuming vast amounts of vegan burritos to fuel his effort.
The Vegan Cycling Diet: A Nutritional Comparison
For professional cyclists, fueling is critical. The following table compares a typical omnivorous diet with a well-planned vegan diet for endurance athletes.
| Nutritional Aspect | Typical Omnivore Diet | Well-Planned Vegan Diet | Considerations for Athletes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbohydrates | Often relies on grains, fruits, and vegetables, but may be limited by focus on animal protein. | Abundant in grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables. High fiber content can be a factor. | Excellent for fueling endurance, but high fiber requires higher intake during heavy training to meet calorie needs. |
| Protein | Readily available from meat, fish, and dairy, offering a complete amino acid profile. | Requires conscious planning from diverse sources like legumes, soy, nuts, and seeds to ensure adequate intake of essential amino acids. | Vegans should aim for higher protein intake (around 2g/kg) and utilize supplements to optimize recovery. |
| Iron | Heme iron from meat is easily absorbed. | Non-heme iron from plants (grains, legumes, leafy greens) is less readily absorbed. | Pair plant-based iron sources with vitamin C to enhance absorption. Avoid coffee and tea with iron-rich meals. |
| Vitamin B12 | Sourced naturally from animal products. | Not found in plants; supplementation is necessary for athletes. | Supplementation is non-negotiable for vegans. Deficiency can lead to fatigue and other issues. |
| Omega-3s | Sourced from fish, which contain EPA and DHA. | Sourced from walnuts, flaxseed, and chia seeds (ALA). | ALA conversion to EPA/DHA is inefficient. Algae-based supplements are recommended for optimal DHA intake. |
| Inflammation | Higher intake of saturated fats from animal products can increase inflammation. | Lower saturated fat intake from whole-food plant sources reduces inflammation. | Lower inflammation can lead to faster recovery and reduced risk of chronic diseases for athletes. |
Overcoming Challenges and Maximizing Performance
Becoming a successful vegan pro cyclist involves more than just swapping a steak for a block of tofu. It requires meticulous planning and attention to detail, especially when traveling or racing. Concerns often raised by skeptics, like inadequate protein or nutritional deficiencies, are addressable with the right knowledge and strategy.
Strategic Nutritional Planning
- Focus on Whole Foods: A 'vegan' diet can be just as unhealthy as an omnivore one if it's based on processed junk food. Plant-based athletes prioritize nutrient-dense whole foods to optimize health and performance.
- Diversify Protein Sources: Instead of a single animal source, vegan cyclists consume a variety of legumes, grains, nuts, and seeds to ensure a complete amino acid profile throughout the day. Soy products like tofu and tempeh are also excellent protein sources.
- Boost Nutrient Absorption: Combining iron-rich foods (e.g., spinach, lentils) with Vitamin C sources (e.g., red peppers, citrus) is a simple but effective tactic to increase iron absorption.
- Supplement Smartly: Athletes on any diet use supplements, and vegans are no different. B12 supplementation is essential, while algae-based Omega-3 and potential iron supplementation might be necessary depending on individual blood work.
Conclusion: A Shift in the Peloton
The rising number of elite vegan cyclists, with notable successes including Olympic medals and Grand Tour finishes, signals a significant shift in the world of professional cycling. It demonstrates convincingly that a well-planned, whole-foods, plant-based diet is not a barrier to achieving top-tier performance. From improved recovery and energy levels to lower inflammation and better overall health markers, these athletes showcase the potential benefits of fueling with plants. While challenges like nutritional planning and travel logistics exist, they are easily overcome with the right knowledge and resources. As more evidence and success stories emerge, it's clear that the 'vegan cyclist' is no longer an anomaly but an increasingly powerful force in the peloton, proving that strength and endurance can be grown, not just raised.
For more insight into the nutritional debates surrounding veganism and cycling, the article on the 'Ve-gains' trend in Velo Magazine provides a balanced perspective.
Notable Vegan Cyclists
- Dotsie Bausch: Track cyclist and Olympic silver medalist.
- Adam Hansen: Retired road cyclist with a Grand Tour completion record.
- Emily Ehrlich: 2025 USA National Time Trial Champion.
- Anna Henderson: Track and road cyclist with an Olympic silver medal.
- Simon Geschke: Long-serving German road cyclist.
- Christine Vardaros: Former cyclocross racer and advocate.
- Tyler Pearce: Ultra-distance cyclist known as 'The Vegan Cyclist.'
The Future of Plant-Powered Cycling
- Increased visibility of vegan athletes is inspiring a new generation of cyclists to explore plant-based options.
- Scientific research continues to back the health and performance benefits for endurance athletes.
- Vegan cycling teams, both professional and amateur, are emerging, creating communities and support systems.
- Team chefs and nutritionists are adapting menus to accommodate more plant-based and vegetarian options for their riders.
- The success of vegan athletes is gradually dismantling long-held myths about protein requirements and muscle building in sports.
