Winter is when things get messy
Freddy didn’t try to hide it: winter is tough on bikes. Even in Spain, winter gravel rides fill your chain with dust, grit and mud.
"Yeah, I think it’s pretty self-explanatory… winter just destroys your drivetrain if you’re on oil. Oil absorbs all the dirt and kills the chain really quickly. Wax just makes everything last longer. And it just stays clean, that's it."
So his first tip is simple: Make your life easier. Reduce the maintenance. Remove the hassle. Using hot wax is perfect for that.
"Oil worked fine, but the bike was always dirty. Putting it in the car was always a mess. Washing, cleaning… it was always a process. With Cyclowax, there’s just a lot less to think about.”
Freddy's winter waxing routine
Freddy’s winter routine is straightforward and repeatable:
"I wax my chain once a week. I always combine it with cleaning my bike in general. It works well to do them together.”
He said he uses his hot wax heater every time he cleans his bike. Or before big winter training blocks. Also, just before he travels. So he knows his chain is good to go. But he loves his Pocket Wax. Especially when he's in a rush or when he doesn't have his heater around.
Training indoors is a secret weapon
This was one of Freddy’s strongest beliefs: Winter is where the work happens.
The more time you spend riding in winter, the easier summer feels.
"For me, this is the product you bring on a trip when you don’t have your heater," he said. "It worked perfectly in training, and then again in the race itself. I was really impressed."
And here’s the part he was very clear about: Indoor training is a secret weapon. Freddy loves Zwift rides in winter.
“Indoors is just more efficient. No traffic, no stopping at lights, no coffee breaks… You just keep going.”
Indoors might be less glamorous, but it’s high-quality time. And Zwift fixes the “boring” part. The social aspect, the interaction. You actually enjoy it. So his winter logic is simple: Ride indoors for maximum efficiency, ride outdoors for handling & fun.
"Indoors is just more efficient. No traffic, no stopping at lights, no coffee breaks… you just keep going.”
Ready for your winter training?
This is Freddy's exact winter setup. And you can get your hands on it too.
