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Elite Cyclist Crafts His Own High-Performance Energy Drink After Rejecting Store Options

Frustrated by store-bought options, Marius Macé spent months perfecting a fruit-flavored, lab-made energy drink. Now, it’s powering cyclists—and his own pro ambitions.

In this picture it looks like a pamphlet of a company with an image of a cup on it.
In this picture it looks like a pamphlet of a company with an image of a cup on it.

Elite Cyclist Crafts His Own High-Performance Energy Drink After Rejecting Store Options

A 23-year-old Elite cyclist has taken sports nutrition into his own hands. Marius Macé, who races for SCO Dijon, developed his own energy drink after finding store-bought options unsatisfactory. Now, his homemade formula, Athletic Fuel, is gaining attention among fellow riders.

Marius Macé began crafting his energy drink after struggling with commercial products. He spent five months refining the recipe through research, testing, and adjustments. The final version resembles a fruit syrup or juice rather than a typical energy drink, with blackcurrant and pineapple as the preferred flavours.

The drink is designed for high performance, packing at least 70 grams of carbs per hour—ideally 80. Key ingredients include maltodextrin, fructose, acesulfame K, and electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and magnesium. Production happens in a makeshift lab, with supplies sourced from wholesalers and sugar industry suppliers. Sales have started small, with 100 to 200 one-kilo bags sold monthly, bringing in around €10,000. Fellow cyclists have responded positively, reporting improved results after using it. By 2026, Marius plans to supply Athletic Fuel to the Paris Cycliste Olympique and set up tasting booths at cyclosportives to boost visibility. Beyond nutrition, Marius has his sights set on turning professional in cycling. His raw speed and ambition drive him toward full pro status by the same year.

Marius Macé’s Athletic Fuel has moved from a personal project to a product trusted by other riders. With steady sales and plans for wider distribution, the drink could soon become a staple in cycling nutrition. Meanwhile, his own racing career continues to progress, with professional ambitions on the horizon for 2026.

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