The aggregation of marginal gains – the totting up of a series of small advantages to deliver a crushing blow to rivals  – is Sir Dave Brailsford’s gift to sport, and has been used to great effect by Team Sky, as Sir Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome will attest.

From kit, to training, to the bikes, to preparations to the race day environment – even the ‘Deathstar’ team buses.

However, their latest announcement – a mesh skinsuit, designed by British brand Rapha, raised a few eyebrows when Froome modelled it on Twitter.

Designed to be cooling, without compromising aerodynamics, the suit will be used this season by Sky for hot weather racing.

There is one definite downside to wearing mesh though, as Froome discovered the hard way in South Africa – whatever you do, don’t forget your suncream!