Sports fuel brand Torq has introduced its new 1:1 Proto drink and gel formula, designed to enable you to take on more carbohydrates without encountering stomach problems.
The common sport science recommendation of a 2:1 fuelling ratio involves consuming two parts glucose to one part fructose. The reason for this is the body can only absorb around 60g of glucose per hour. By adding fructose, which uses a different pathway, you can absorb an additional 30g of carbohydrates per hour.
The consensus is if you go beyond this, you're more likely to experience ‘stomach issues’, while the faster energy intake of the 2:1 ratio means you're less likely to suffer the dreaded ‘bonk’.
Torq’s research and testing has shown that if the glucose transporter in the gut is saturated at 60g per hour, via ingestion of glucose, you can absorb more fructose than in a 2:1 formula.
- Read more: The best energy gels for cycling in 2025
High-intensity endurance fuelling
The formulation in Torq's new Proto 1:1 products mixes 20g of glucose and 20g of fructose, so 40g rather than the usual 30g servings found in most energy gels and drinks.
The theory is that for high-intensity exercise you can up your carb loading with less risk of causing a stomach upset.
| 2:1 Torq units | 1:1 Proto gels / energy drink | Glucose (g) | Fructose (g) | Total carbs (g) | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 0 | 60 | 30 | 90 | 02:01 |
| 2 | 1 | 60 | 40 | 100 | 03:02 |
| 1 | 2 | 60 | 50 | 110 | 01:00.8 |
| 0 | 3 | 60 | 60 | 120 | 01:01 |
Torq’s Richard Samuels explains: “If you are already working at 90g/hr, this can allow you to elevate to 120g/hr, by blending a 2:1 and 1:1 product together. You can then do a ride at 100g/hr using 1x 1:1 and 2x 2:1 product.”
This can help on particularly high-intensity rides such as an Alpine summer sportive/race with higher temperatures.
Samuels also gives the example of a triathlon, “where it is easier to fuel on the bike than on the run. The system is versatile too – we can look at the bike leg and the run leg as two separate sessions.
“You could use 1:1 @ 120g/hr on the bike and then revert to 60-90g/hr with 2:1 on the run. The triathletes we speak to do their highest carb intakes when the fuel is most readily available.“
Samuels adds: “There is also a study that shows that higher fructose consumption while running, as opposed to cycling, can cause stomach distress.”
The energy drink range offers two fruit flavours (with more promised) and a Naked Flavourless option. With the natural higher fructose count, the 1:1 tastes sweeter than Torq’s standard 2:1.
The Torq 1:1 Proto range
- 1:1 Proto 60g gels – Strawberry Yoghurt, Naked Flavourless, Forest Fruits, 40g 1:1 carbohydrate: £2.65
- 1:1 Proto 60g gel with Guarana – Forest Fruits, 40g 1:1 carbohydrate: £2.95
- 1:1 Proto 43g energy drink sachets – Orange, Naked Flavourless, Blackcurrant Per 500ml, 40g 1:1 carbohydrate: £2.65 sachet
- 1:1 Proto energy drink, 500g pouch – Orange, Naked Flavourless, Blackcurrant: £19.95, 11 servings per pouch, scoop included
