Have you already had your coffee this morning? The answer is probably yes, and if not, we're sure you'll have one during the day, especially if you have a bike ride planned with friends. The coffee ride is a classic for many amateurs, but also for professional cyclists who are currently enjoying a well-deserved vacation.

The riders of the Team Polti VisitMalta, regardless of their chosen relaxation destination, have packed some SOLO Single Origin Coffee pods. Having a small cup is an essential ritual that also provides physiological benefits. "Containing caffeine, it reduces the perception of fatigue, helps maintain energy during prolonged efforts, and improves concentration and reaction speed - aspects fundamental in a race because descents, potential falls to avoid, and even simply staying in the group require high concentration. Another advantage is that it slightly favors muscle glycogen savings, our muscle energy reserve, by increasing the use of fats as fuel. Finally, coffee has a powerful psychological component, it's part of the pre-race ritual and helps cyclists focus and prepare for the race," explains Mikel Malagon, team nutritionist of Ivan Basso and Alberto Contador.

How many coffees and when to drink them can impact performance. "Each person reacts to caffeine differently; our athletes consume an average caffeine dose of about 3-6 mg/kg of body weight. This usually translates to about 3 or 4 coffees a day, in addition to gels taken during the race. Timing is very important: it is advisable to consume caffeine 45-60 minutes before starting an intense effort. That's why it's a classic for cyclists to drink coffee before the start of a race: it helps them neurologically activate for the first part of the stage. During the effort, they opt for another format, the most common being caffeine-containing gels, used at key moments like the beginning of a decisive climb or the last third of the race, where the most intense moments are concentrated," continues the expert.

Stefano Polti, founder of Aroma Polti, a company in the Polti Group specialized in coffee marketing and distribution, has identified origins, selected raw materials, and defined appropriate roasting, creating a unique offering for this appointment that most Italians would never, ever give up in their daily lives. "The E.S.E. pods of Polti coffee, SOLO Single Origin Coffee, distinguish themselves from blends as they exclusively contain 100% Robusta from Vietnam and Tanzania, and 100% Arabica from Uganda. Choosing a single-origin coffee, even in beans, instead of a blend allows appreciating the purity and complexity of unique flavors from a specific region, offering a more authentic and refined experience."

The origin of SOLO Single Origin Coffee concerns exclusively three specific and circumscribed geographical zones, with a well-defined taste. Single origin means precisely this: plants from a single cultivation and origin:

- SOLO Single Origin Coffee Vietnam, 100% robusta single origin with a decisive, powerful character and low acidity;
- SOLO Single Origin Coffee Tanzania, 100% robusta single origin, balanced and aromatic, with bitter cocoa and spice notes;
- SOLO Single Origin Coffee Uganda, 100% arabica single origin, rich and intense with spice, fruit, and chocolate notes.

SOLO Single Origin Coffee is offered in beans and E.S.E. (Easy Serving Espresso) pods of 7 grams, compatible with all 44 mm E.S.E. pod machines on the market. They are pre-measured, individually packaged, and also sustainable: SOLO Single Origin Coffee pods are entirely compostable, unlike those on the market that use materials like plastic and aluminum.

For an impeccable coffee extraction, Polti Coffea machines are designed to best enhance the qualities of SOLO Single Origin Coffee. The dispensing system is calibrated to perfectly adapt to E.S.E. pods, guaranteeing a balanced, aromatic espresso with a rich and consistent crema, ready in just a few seconds. The Polti Coffea line stands out for its compact and modern design: the new pop colors expand choice possibilities, stylishly adapting to any environment.

SOLO Single Origin Coffee and Polti Coffea coffee machines are distributed and sold in appliance stores throughout the national territory, as well as being available online at www.polti.it.