The notion that 3663.5km of riding a bike within a three week period might affect the human the body should hardly come as a surprise, but a photo posted by Polish cyclist Bartosz Huzarski's legs taken after the 18th stage of the Tour de France highlighted just how great a toll the event places on its athletes.

The striking image led to some questioning whether Hubarski had dabbled in blood doping, claims which he dimissed on his Facebook page.

The striking image of Polish cyclist Bartosz Huzarski's legs. Credit:Facebook/Bartosz Huzarski

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