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It's known as one of the most gruelling events in sports and cyclist Bartosz Huzarski is certainly suffering for his art after posting this disturbing picture of his legs.

Huzarski uploaded the picture on his Facebook page after the Polish bike rider finished the 145.5km 18th stage of Le Tour on Thursday.

Some fans have said the picture, which shows Huzarksi's disturbingly prominent veins, is evidence the rider is blood doping.

But Huzarski has hit back at his critics via his Facebook page, claiming he will "never have legs like a Victoria's Secret models".

He said: "I did not expect that picture of my legs would cause the confusion it did.

"For me it’s totally not a revelation, because I can see this view - maybe not everyday – but still often, especially after a hard race at high temperature.

"People write and think different things, “that is impossible”, “that is not normal”, “it is unhealthy”, refer to doping, etc…

"Of course I will not have legs like Victoria’s Secret models, or Mary from a nearby vegetable shop, or anyone working in an office who does a 10km bike ride or an hour run three times a week. Unfortunately it does not work like that and this what you see in the picture. It is not unhealthy."

Huzarski's legs will get a well-earned break when the Tour de France concludes in Paris tomorrow.