Froome sunburn may force Team Sky to rethink mesh jersey
Chris Froome is renowned for his searing speed riding up mountains but the Tour de France winner was left feeling the burn, and fearing blisters, on his own back after neglecting to apply enough sunscreen while training in South Africa this week.
Froome's fiancee Michelle Cound posted a picture on Twitter of the Team Sky rider's sunburnt back following a day training in the British team's mesh jersey.
The uniform, designed by Rapha, is no different to the one worn by Froome during his Tour triumph last July and the one his team-mates are currently using in searing heat at the Tour Down Under around South Australia.
Team Sky is renowned for its 'marginal gains' philosophy, a term coined by team principal Sir Dave Brailsford, who looks at the most minute details to enhance chances of success.
The mesh jersey Froome was wearing was created to meet the needs of the riders for maximum cooling and minimum weight on the hottest mountain days.
However, that means the treatment Rapha uses on its regular race jerseys - to reflect the sun off the jerseys - cannot be used on the mesh jerseys and that sun protection must be worn.
Your say: