Professional Cycling - Cotton in Nostrils?

Why did Alberto Contador have cotton rolls stuffed up his nostrils while warming up and just before the start of the team time trial?

eucalyptus and/or peppermint oil; homeopathic way to open the lungs?

Maybe to prevent pollen or other irritants from getting into his nose and sinuses?

He was doping

I noticed the trend of wearing the little band aid across the bridge of the nose is gone

I remember seeing Chris Boardman in the 90s with cotton wool up nose while warming up. I'd love to know why, also.

I noticed the trend of wearing the little band aid across the bridge of the nose is gone

Team Telekom loved that.

I tried it - it doesn't seem to help beyond a certain point.

I did not see the segment, so I'm missing a lot oc clues. But some cyclists warm up and as part of the process take oxygen consumption measurments. Not positive why, perhaps to measure effort levels and do the right amount of warmup. In any case if oxygen consumption measurement is part of the process then the cotton is used to make sure that all the air taken in is through the mouth and when the measurements are being taken that means measured because if comes through a tube into a mask that covers the mouth.

Again I did not see the segment so I could be 100% wrong, but this is a possibility.

Lance punched him on the team bus.

Smelling salts maybe? respiratory stimulant.

hockey players do it a lot too.

I noticed the trend of wearing the little band aid across the bridge of the nose is gone

I noticed it on Klodi's nose today actually.

Lance punched him on the team bus.

:roflmao2:

Team Telekom loved that

I noticed it on Klodi's nose today actually.

hopefully, that's the only old habit Kloden brought over from (Deutche)Telekom/T-Mobile

http://www.velonews.com/article/94705/

From Velonews a few days ago - third question.