Cyclingflash tells us that some competitive cyclists participating in the Tour de France have been caught wearing oversized bras and stuffing them in order to improve their athletic performance.
Why does this work? It appears that in the prone position that these athletes use, larger breasts (or their equivalent in excess fabric) improve wind resistance by redirecting airflow away from the body. This is called a "chest fairing." According to research, an optimal chest fairing, whether natural or artificial, can reduce drag by 3.6%.
In a long distance race like the Tour de France, that's a sufficient advantage to raise concerns. Some teams suggest that a solution would be to have female officials check riders in a closed tent prior to a race to ensure that no competitor is making use of artificial enhancements.
Image: ERO Sports
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