Sponser Long Energy

Sponser Long Energy Multi Carb Competition Formula - to give it its full name - comes as a tub of powder that you mix with water to create an energy drink. The 'long' in the title indicates that it's designed for consumption during longer endurance events, as it contains carbohydrate and protein, plus a host of other ingredients to help you ride faster or farther, or both.

We've reviewed Sponser's similarly-named Energy Sportdrink Competition drink previously on road.cc and Long Energy Multi Carb Competition Formula shares many characteristics. For a start, both drinks contain eight different sorts of carbohydrate. This is an impressive total, and in reality there's a limit to the amount of carb the human body can absorb, but by using different sorts of carb (glucose and fructose in various compounds) the formula of this Long Energy drink is designed to ensure you get maximum benefit. The various carbs are also designed to provide a gradual supply of energy, so you don't get a sudden surge of power after drinking, followed by an equally sudden slump.

In addition to the carbohydrate, Sponser Long Energy Multi Carb Competition Formula drink contains protein – derived from whey. This is important for longer races and sportives because (to put it in layman's terms) protein helps carb work better, especially when you're doing events that last three hours or more.

The sports scientists disagree on the ideal carb-to-protein ratio to consume during endurance events (as opposed to the ratio in recovery protects to consume afterwards), but most studies show it between 5% and 20%. Sponser Long Energy is at the lower end of this range with a 5% protein content.

(Also in Sponser's portfolio is yet another similarly-named drink called Long Energy Competition + Regeneration. This also contains carbohydrate and protein, but the protein proportion is 10%.)

Sponser Long Energy Multi Carb Competition Formula drink mix also contains various minerals - sodium, magnesium, potassium, chromium and zinc - to replace those lost via sweat and to help your muscles recover after exercise or avoid the dreaded cramp.

Other more exotic ingredients include taurine (according to the Sponser website, 'a stimulant ... powerful antioxidant and semi-essential amino acid') and red beet juice (with 'high levels of betaine, which has been shown to reduce muscle inflammation after exercise').

Our test samples are citrus flavour. The taste is sharp, not sweet, and very refreshing. The texture is slightly soapy – presumably from the whey content - but it didn't make the drink unpleasant. Also available is Fruit Mix flavour, and Cola flavour with the added ingredient caffeine.

I've tested this Long Energy Multi Carb Competition Formula drink on a couple of long training rides, combined with carb and protein supplied by my usual array of gels and bars. With frequent sips, the drink topped up my energy levels in the gaps between the bars and gels, and I felt no ill effects on the stomach at all.

The recommended mix for Long Energy is 60-80g of powder to 750-1000ml of water, so a 1200g tub of powder makes around 15 to 20 litres of drink.

A 1200g tub costs £27.99 on Sponser's UK website. This is hard to compare directly against similar products from other manufacturers, as the various formulas and ingredients vary. To give a rough idea, Powerbar Isomax drink costs £23 for 1200g which makes 12L of drink, while High 5 Energy Source 4:1 drink costs around £30 for 1600g which makes 32L. Overall, the price of Long Energy Multi Carb Competition Formula works out pretty fair for what you get, but it can't be called an absolute bargian.

If you do a lot of long-distance rides (i.e. three hours plus), and especially if you find some other drinks a bit too much for the stomach after 60 or 70 miles, then this drink is well worth trying.

Verdict

Nice-tasting and effective energy drink for long rides with carbs, protein and minerals