Team Sky’s marginal gains philosophy seeks to hand its riders every possible advantage – but Chris Froome experienced the flip-side after suffering severe sunburn on a training ride while wearing a mesh jersey.

The Tour de France champion is preparing for his 2014 campaign in South Africa and his fiancee, Michelle Cound, posted a photograph of Kenyan-born rider’s red raw back on Twitter.

The danger with wearing mesh jerseys… #OUCH pic.twitter.com/CuIhrakWCk

— Michelle Cound (@michellecound) January 22, 2014

The mesh jersey is part of a range of clothing designed specifically for the hottest conditions, which includes a new, super-light, fishnet-style skinsuit. Froome caused a stir when he posted a picture of himself wearing the revealing kit on Twitter on New Year’s Eve.

While Team Sky’s regular racing jerseys use a Coldblack technology, designed to absorb less heat and stay cool against the skin in hot weather, the mesh jersey and skinsuit require a more regimented approach to sun cream application.

However, Froome’s frazzled back has exposed a weakness in the 28-year-old’s armour, according to Garmin-Sharp manager Jonathan Vaughters.

“Aha! We’ve found his weakness,” joked Vaughters. “Now on to manufacturing motorized ultra violet ray guns for the TdF”

So, Chris, don’t forget to slip, slop, slap!

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