Pro cyclists and their shoes: a never-ending love affair
Cyclists love to use their shoes to make a statement - here we round up some of our favourite footwear from the past few years
While the shoes of runners, footballers, tennis players and a whole host of other sports get pounded in the mud and dirt, the same can't really be said of cyclists' footwear. That's not to say that cycling shoes aren't important - as a contact point between rider and bike, they serve a vital function. But there's a new function that pro cyclists' shoes have grown to serve in the past few years: self expression.
Most of a pro rider's kit is strictly dictated by the team, but shoes are one area where it seems pretty much anything goes. Riders can use their shoes to exclaim their nationality, celebrate past success, send a message, be individual or just have a bit of fun.
Here we've collected together some of the wild and wonderful designs worn by riders over the past couple of years.
Photos by Andy Jones and Graham Watson
Laura Trott was sporting these flowery Nalini shoes at the Track World Cup in London
More flowery goodness from Laura Trott, this time SIDIs
Yanto Barker's union flag Bont shoes in action during the Jersey International Road Race 2014
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Adam Blythe can usually be relied upon to wear something out of the ordinary
French track sprinter Francois Pervis reminds his rivals of his world records and world champion status
Sir Chris Hoy is not one to show off: he's went for a subtle personalised look in these Bont shoes for the 2009 Manchester World Cup
Okay, they aren't shoes, but Ben Swift's shoe covers offer a patriotic flavour
Nike sponsored athlete Mark Cavendish also goes for classy black with his trademark signature
Wendy Houvenaghel's colourful Lake footwear from 2011
Pro rider Adam Hansen makes his own carbon shoes, said to be extremely lightweight
More unique style from Adam Blythe, this time from the Spadger's Six Day Night in 2013
Aerodynamic Bont shoes worn by the Russian team pursuit squad
Scottish shoe and sock combo from the Commonwealth Games
2008 Olympic road race champion Samuel Sanchez's shoes on stage one of the 2012 Dauphine-Libere
Philippe Gilbert's rainbow shoes worn during the 2013 Tour de France
David Millar wore a different pair of Fizik shoes for every race he took part in during his last season (2014). The shoes were then auctioned off for charity. These are from Tirreno-Adriatico
Eye-boggling design for Millar at Dwars door Vlaanderen
Is that fire? Millar's footwear for GP Scheldeprijs
Millar goes for argyle during Bayern Rundfahrt
My eyes! The final word from Adam Blythe
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