If you’re riding somewhere really warm with very intense sunlight, the first thing that’s a good idea to find in a jersey is UV protection. That means you’ll only need to apply sunscreen to the parts of you that aren’t covered, making it easier to re-apply mid-ride as well.

The development of technical synthetic fabrics means that today’s jerseys are a far cry from the woolen jerseys of old and, just like base layers, mesh is a key component of summer jersey.

In recent years a number of manufacturers have introduced jerseys specifically designed for the hottest conditions. Some, like Rapha’s Pro Team Climber’s jersey or Castelli’s Climber 2.0 are actually more mesh than they are standard material. As well as offering wicking and breathability, the other quality of this type of material is how quickly it dries. Even if you slog your way up an hour long climb, a mesh-based jersey will be pretty much dry within minutes of starting the descent, which is a huge positive in all day comfort terms.

The downside of mesh jerseys is that, by their very nature, they often won’t provide the sort of UV protection described above – remember Chris Froome’s mesh skinsuit sunburn mishap? – though some, including the Sportful R&D Ultralight, said to be designed for when it’s 25 degrees and above, claim to combine both.

Some modern jerseys also have special treatments that claim to help with warm condtions. Sugoi’s IceFil is a perfect example. IceFil jerseys are treated with a substance called Xylitol (also found in…chewing gum) which produces a cooling effect when it comes into contact with perspiration. It also claims to block infrared light which is another contributing factor in making you feel hot when the sun’s out.

Worst comes to worst when the weather is really hot, make sure your jersey has a full-length zip. Sometimes all you can do is just open the jersey all the way to try and cool down.