Story highlights "Sticky bottle" tactic used to gain an advantage

"Magic spanner" also used

(CNN) Even some of the world's best athletes need a helping hand every now and again.

Or in the case of the Tour de France, a helping bottle.

Like most sports, cycling has its own unwritten laws. Informal gamesmanship means rules are bent -- to gain an advantage over opponents — but not broken.

Which brings us to the "sticky bottle" -- or as they say in French: "la bouteille collante."

Should a cyclist need a drink of water, they approach their team's car and receive one from the director. Upon handing the bottle back, they retain their grip for just a little longer so as to receive a quick boost of speed.

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