The 2025 Tour de France is underway. And once again this year, one detail intrigues spectators: several riders are wearing a small beige or white strip on their noses. It's not a bandage, nor a marketing gimmick. It's a nasal strip. But what is it really for? And why is it gaining popularity among professional cyclists?

A simple strip… but highly effective

What is a nasal strip?

A nasal strip is an adhesive device placed over the bridge of the nose. Its mission: to open the airways by slightly spreading the nostrils. It acts like a small spring that gently pulls the skin, without pain.

The result? Better airflow in the nasal passages. And therefore, more fluid, more efficient breathing.

Originally used for better sleep

Initially, the nasal strip was designed to combat snoring and nocturnal breathing disorders. Many people use it to sleep better. But athletes, especially cyclists, quickly understood its potential during exertion.

 📷 Getty Image 

Why do cyclists wear them during stages?

Nasal breathing: a real challenge in competition

When cycling at high intensity, the body needs maximum oxygen. However, breathing solely through the mouth can be less efficient, and above all, more tiring.

Nasal breathing, on the other hand, offers several advantages:

• It filters the air better

• It humidifies and warms inhaled air

• It promotes better oxygenation

But there's a catch: for many athletes, the nasal passages are partially obstructed, especially during intense effort.

This is where the nasal strip comes in. It improves the opening of the nostrils, facilitating nasal inspiration, even during acceleration phases.

Gaining performance… without doping products

One of the great advantages of the nasal strip is that it is neither a medication nor a supplement. It is 100% mechanical. This means it is:

• Authorized in competition

• Without side effects

• Easy to use

In an increasingly scrutinized world of professional sports, this "natural" aspect is a real asset.

Which riders have adopted it?

Each year, renowned cyclists are seen wearing a nasal strip in certain stages. In 2025, several teams in the peloton are incorporating this tool into their performance strategy.

Some riders only use it:

• On mountain stages

• During time trials

• In hot or allergenic weather (pollen, pollution)

Others use it almost systematically, especially those suffering from nasal deviation or chronic ENT problems.

💬 “With the strip, I feel the difference from the very first minutes. I recover better and have less congestion after the stage.” – testimony of an anonymous rider in the 2025 peloton.

Benefits for recovery too

After exertion, rest

Once the stage is over, the priority becomes recovery. Here too, breathing plays a key role. Some cyclists continue to use the nasal strip after the race, as part of their recovery routine, or even during sleep.

Why? Because fluid breathing promotes:

• Deeper sleep

• Better nocturnal oxygenation

• Optimized muscle repair

More and more teams are including the strip in their post-race recovery kit.

What about amateur cyclists?

Good news: the benefits of the nasal strip are not reserved for professionals. If you cycle (or play any other endurance sport), you too can:

• Improve your respiratory comfort

• Delay fatigue

• Reduce exercise-related nasal congestion

You can also use it outside of sports, to sleep better or recover more efficiently after a long outing.

Nasal strip: simple fad or real tool?

A useful gadget… if used correctly

Let's be clear: the nasal strip does not turn an amateur cyclist into a champion. But it can genuinely make a difference in certain situations:

• In case of a blocked nose or nasal deviation

• During high heat or allergies

• To optimize recovery

It integrates easily into the preparation and recovery routine, without constraints.

What the studies say

Studies conducted on endurance athletes have shown that the use of nasal strips can:

• Reduce perceived effort

• Improve ventilation

• Promote performance in prolonged exercise

It is therefore a simple, affordable, and legitimate solution, intelligently used by some cyclists in the 2025 Tour de France.

Nasal strips have found their place in the peloton. Discreet but effective, they help riders to breathe better, recover faster, and improve their comfort during effort.

If you cycle, run, or simply want to sleep better, it's a tool you can easily try too.