At just 20 years old, Danish cyclist August Birk Hundt is fully committed to one goal: turning professional. Over the past year, that commitment has gone beyond just training more. It’s about understanding his body better, improving recovery, and building the consistency needed to reach the next level.

We caught up with August one year after our last conversation to reflect on what has changed, what he’s learned, and what it really takes to move closer to the pro peloton.

“I’ve developed so much in just one year”

Looking back, August is clear about the progress he’s made: “I’ve gained way more racing experience, become stronger, and delivered better results. My overall performance has really improved.”

A big part of that progress comes from working with a new coach:“it’s really important that you believe in what you’re doing. My coach focuses a lot on balancing high intensity with proper recovery, especially during race season. If you recover well, you can train harder and race harder.”

That balance has become a key part of his approach.

“The injury forced me to listen”

A major moment over the past year came after a serious crash that left August with back muscle injuries. “It was tough. I came back a bit too quickly at first, and that taught me something important. You really have to listen to your body.”

What started as a setback ended up changing how he trains. “I learned that you can’t rush recovery. You need to be fully ready before you push hard again.”

Now, that awareness is part of his daily routine. “After each session, I evaluate how my body feels. Am I ready to go again, or do I need another rest day? That’s something I didn’t fully understand before.”

Building strength and stability

After the injury, August added more structured strength training, especially focused on his core and back.

“I’ve done more gym work, focusing on core and back strength. It’s partly about injury prevention, but it also improves how I ride.”

The difference shows on the bike: “with better stability, I can stay longer on the bike and handle fatigue better. I can put all my power into the pedals without losing energy trying to stay stable.”

“Recovery is everything”

When it comes to recovery, August keeps it simple. “There are three key things: sleep, nutrition, and fluid intake. If you don’t get those right, nothing else works.”

He aims for around nine hours of sleep and stays consistent with fueling and fluid intake, especially during long rides. But over the past year, recovery has become more structured.

How it started with Unbroken

August first came across Unbroken through someone he trusted. “I first heard about Unbroken from a friend on the Lidl-Trek Development team. He told me about this supplement with essential amino acids made from salmon.”

For August, that immediately stood out. “I’m pescatarian, so finding a high-quality protein source that fits my diet is important. That made me curious.”

Before starting, he did his own research: “I looked into how it works, what’s inside it, and how other athletes were using it. Then I reached out to learn more.”

What started as curiosity quickly turned into a decision. “I wanted to see if it could help me improve as an athlete, and it turned out to be a really good fit for me.”

“Unbroken made a big difference”

One of the biggest changes in his routine has been using Unbroken consistently.

“I take two to four tablets of Unbroken per day depending on how much I train, and it’s made a big difference in my recovery between races and hard training blocks.”

He notices the difference both in training and racing. “After gym sessions, I’m much less sore than before. I feel like I have more quality in my training and in everyday life.”

He also feels it late in races.

“Towards the final stages, I can feel a natural power boost. The Vitamin B12 gives energy, and the amino acids help reduce that heavy feeling in the legs.”

It has become part of his daily routine. “It’s something I rely on every day.”

Staying healthy when traveling

Travel is something August takes seriously. “Travel days are risky because you’re exposed to new environments and a higher chance of getting sick.”

His approach is simple. “I make sure I take two tablets of Unbroken on travel days to support my immune system. Since I started doing that, I’ve been getting sick less often, and if I do, I recover faster.”

It also gives him peace of mind. “I feel more prepared and less stressed when I travel.”

“Pressure is a privilege”

After finishing school, August is now fully focused on cycling. “The biggest pressure comes from myself because I want it so much.”

He draws inspiration from tennis legend Billie Jean King. “As Billie Jean King said, ‘Pressure is a privilege.’ I really believe that. Without it, you wouldn’t push your limits.”

What it takes to make it

For August, success comes down to more than just talent. “It’s a tough sport. You train in all weather, so you really have to love it.”

But just as important is the environment around you. “You need to believe in yourself, but you also need good people around you. Your coach, your teammates, your family and friends.”

That support system plays a direct role in performance. “If you’re happy outside of training, then you’re also happy in training. And that gives you so much more quality.”

One year from now

Looking ahead, his goal is clear. “I want to be closer to turning professional. I know I have the level, I just need to show it in races and get the results.”

With national championships and key international races coming up, this season is an important step.

Why Denmark produces top riders

Denmark continues to produce top cyclists, and not just one type. “It’s actually a bit funny,” August says. “We have climbers, sprinters, classics riders… everything. And Denmark is completely flat.”

That contrast is part of what makes it unique. The success doesn’t come from terrain, but from something deeper. “It’s not about the terrain. It’s about the culture and the structure.”

From a young age, riders grow up in strong local clubs where training is both social and competitive. “You meet teammates and friends for life, and that makes you want to keep training and dreaming big.”

There’s also a broader cycling culture that shapes everyday life. “In Copenhagen, there are bikes everywhere. It’s often easier to get around by bike than by car. Everyone grows up cycling.”

That constant exposure, combined with strong national support and opportunities to race internationally, builds belief early. “You see riders go pro, you see coaches who’ve done it before, and you start to believe you can do it too.”

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Unbroken Thought Leadership Series. Real Time Recovery for athletes who train, travel, and compete under real-world load.

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Rapid fire with August Training location? Spain Rider type? Classics rider Ride style? Solo for efforts, group rides otherwise Morning or evening training? Morning One recovery habit you never skip? Taking Unbroken every day Go-to track before a ride? Knokler Hårdt – Gilli (“working hard”) Must-have travel item? Unbroken… or a pillow Favorite flavor? Lemon-Lime

For August, progress comes down to one thing. “If you recover properly, everything else improves. Your training, your races, your results.”

And right now, everything is pointing in the right direction.