In France, we have a lot of rituals. For example, in July everyone tunes in to the Tour de France, whether you’re a cycling fan or not. It’s a chance to witness great sport, and also to rediscover our country and its quirks. And speaking of quirks, have you noticed that the Tour de France riders have smooth legs and arms? Not a hair in sight below the neck. Why do cyclists shave?
Several factors can explain this choice. Aesthetics and habit can play a part in this routine shaving. But if cyclists shave their legs and arms, it’s primarily for medical reasons.
« There are regular falls and injuries in cycling races. Having a hairless leg makes it easier to disinfect and treat the wound faster and the healing is quicker », explains Yann Duploye, head of the sports department at La Voix du Nord. Most often, when a rider falls during a race, the injury tends to resemble more of a burn than a cut. Stray hairs caught in a burned area can also cause additional pain.
In addition, elite athletes often receive massages after every stage to help relax the muscles and speed up recovery. These deep, vigorous massages are far more tolerable when the leg hair isn’t pulled every which way.
But that’s not all! Cyclists shave their body hair not just for looks—it's because it slows them down. According to a very serious study conducted by Specialized in 2014, the absence of hair on the limbs helps shave off a few precious hundredths of a second, by boosting the rider’s aerodynamics. Athletes could gain around 19 seconds off a 40-kilometre ride, just by shaving their arms!
And swimmers aren't the only ones opting for a bare look: they shave too, aiming to shave off precious time in the water. And could a razor be the missing ingredient to becoming the next Tadej Pogacar?
