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Matilda Price

Colourful gains? Rainbow socks a tactical innovation for XDS-Astana in Paris-Nice TTT

Alex Dowsett TT VismaLease a Bike XDSAstana
XDS Astana Team's riders cycle during the 3rd stage of the Paris-Nice cycling race, a 28,4 km team time trial between Nevers Magny-Cours Circuit and Nevers, on March 11, 2025. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP).

XDS-Astana’s already colourful kit had an extra rainbow flair during the stage 3 team time trial in Paris-Nice on Sunday, with each rider sporting different coloured overshoes and socks – pinks, greens and yellows rather than their usual white.

But this bright accessory wasn’t just a fashion accessory, in fact it was a practical idea from the team’s new performance engineer and retired time trial specialist Alex Dowsett.

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