What's that up the Riders nose?

Question: I was watching a video about the Tour De France and they had a quick shot of the riders warming up on trainers, getting ready for a time trial. All the riders seemed to have cotton or tissue or something stuck in their nostrils. Why is this? There were several shots over the course of the video and it was more than just one team doing this so it would seem this is common but I have no idea why. Can you answer this query?

Hi Dave,

This is an easy question, but a very good one for any one who wants to breath easier when they are cycling, if you have a cold or a bit of congestion from an allergy to pollen or some other air bourn debris.

Olbas oil is the answer, its decongestion oil made with Cajaput Oil, Clove Oil, Eucalyptus Oil, Juniperberry Oil, Levonmenthol, Dementholised Mint Oil and Wintergreen Oil. All these natural ingredients clear the sinuses and air ways so you can breathe in the necessary oxygen for a proper performance.

Professional riders need to be able to breath efficiently, especially in a time trail, so the cotton wool or in some cases cotton buds broken in the middle, then soaked in Olbas Oil and then pushed up the nostrils clears the breathing tubes. The team masseur will prepare the cotton wool with the Olbas Oil when he gives the riders their pre-race massage, then the riders will warm up on the turbo trainers so that they are ready to perform.

The efficient breathing of the rider is as important as the warm up in a rider's preparation list. In a stage race the time trial is very important, it can be the stage that decides or consolidates the lead, breathing is most important, it's the oxygen that makes the muscles work so you have to have efficient breathing to keep riding at top speed.

There are other similar products that also clear the nostrils, but Olbas Oil is the best known.

So there you are, Olbas Oil on cotton wool up the nose.