Pro cyclists and their shoes: a never-ending love affair

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

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