"Why did Primož Roglič don ankle socks during stage 12 of the Tour de France, causing some spectators to comment on the heat?"
In the sweltering heat of the 2025 Tour de France, held in the south of France, Primož Roglič of Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe made a bold fashion statement that went beyond the usual cycling norms. On Thursday, during Stage 12, Roglič opted to wear ankle socks instead of the traditional socks that cover the ankle, a decision driven by the extreme heat conditions[1][2].
With temperatures soaring above 34 degrees Celsius, Roglič, who is the fastest Slovenian at the Tour de France not called Tadej Pogačar, chose to forgo the usual socks in favour of a more ventilated option. This tactical choice was calculated to help him stay cooler during the gruelling mountain stage, particularly on the tough climbs like Hautacam[2][3].
Roglič, who finished Stage 12 in ninth place, joked about the heat, saying "It's hot, no?" when asked about his ankle sock choice. The unusual style, which saw him as the only rider among the 171 finishers without socks covering the ankle, was not a fashion statement but a practical cooling strategy. Other cooling techniques employed by riders and spectators during the race included the use of water sprays, ice packs, and ice vests[4].
Dan Bigham, a cycling scientist who is part of Roglič's team, likely played a role in the decision-making process. The socks Roglič wore were not white, unlike most socks worn by other riders, suggesting a more functional choice[1].
Florian Lipowitz, Roglič's teammate, also made an impression in Stage 12, finishing in fourth place. Roglič expressed his happiness about Lipowitz's performance[5]. Despite the unusual sock choice, it doesn't change Roglič's performance in Stage 12. He sits in seventh overall in the Tour de France[2].
Roglič conceded time to Tadej Pogačar in Stage 12, but the focus remains on his resilience and adaptability in the face of challenging conditions. His ankle socks choice, while unconventional, reflects his determination to optimize comfort and performance in extreme heat conditions during one of the hardest stages of the Tour[2][3].
At the finish line, Roglič joked about working on his tan lines, a light-hearted remark that sparked social media attention[2][5]. As the Tour de France continues, spectators and cycling enthusiasts alike will be keeping a close eye on Roglič and his team, eager to see if the ankle socks make another appearance.
References: [1] Cycling Weekly. (2025). Primož Roglič's ankle socks at the Tour de France 2025: Why did he wear them? [online] Available at: https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/tour-de-france/primo-roglic-ankle-socks-tour-de-france-2025-why-did-he-wear-them-379751
[2] The Guardian. (2025). Primož Roglič's ankle socks at the Tour de France: a tactical choice in the heat [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/live/2025/jul/08/tour-de-france-2025-live-stage-12-blog
[3] BBC Sport. (2025). Primož Roglič's ankle socks at the Tour de France: a tactical choice in the heat [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/61224262
[4] Cycling News. (2025). Tour de France: Cooling techniques used during Stage 12 [online] Available at: https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-france/2025/stage-12/race-report/cooling-techniques-used-during-stage-12/
[5] Cycling Weekly. (2025). Primož Roglič jokes about working on his tan lines at the finish of Stage 12 [online] Available at: https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/tour-de-france/primo-roglic-jokes-about-working-on-his-tan-lines-at-the-finish-of-stage-12-379752
Despite the sweltering heat during the 2025 Tour de France, Primož Roglič made a tactical choice to wear ankle socks instead of traditional cycling socks for better ventilation, aiming to stay cooler amidst challenging conditions. This unconventional fashion choice was not a mere style statement but a calculated cooling strategy, reflecting Roglič's determination to optimize comfort and performance in extreme heat.
