Bartosz Huzarski's legs cause social media stir

Huzarski on stage twenty of the 2014 Tour de France
NetApp-Endura's Bartosz Huzarksi has put himself in the limelight by posting a picture of his legs on social media.
The Polish Tour de France rider posted the picture after stage 18 to Hautacam on which he finished 31st. Just over ten minutes behind stage winner Vincenzo Nibali. Huzarksi went on to finish the Tour in 68th place, two hours and 58 minutes behind Nibali.
Although some mainstream media have quoted 'experts' saying this 'isn't normal' and even mentioned it is a result of doping, it is not uncommon among Tour riders.
The pronouced viens are a long term result of increased capillary density (common in elite endurance athletes), exaggerated by dehydration after a long day in the saddle and low body fat levels experienced towards the end of a three week grand tour.
As the TT picture above - taken two days later - shows, a rider's legs will return to a more normal appearance when they are well hydrated.
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Jack Elton-Walters hails from the Isle of Wight, and would be quick to tell anyone that it's his favourite place to ride. He has covered a varied range of topics for Cycling Weekly, producing articles focusing on tech, professional racing and cycling culture. He moved on to work for Cyclist Magazine in 2017 where he stayed for four years until going freelance. He now returns to Cycling Weekly from time-to-time to cover racing, review cycling gear and write longer features for print and online.
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