How one American team at the Tour de France is keeping riders cool when hotels don't have AC

Daniel McMahon / Business Insider

A ChiliPad cooling mattress topper is set up for Frenchman Pierre Rolland, the leader of the American Cannondale-Drapac team at the 2016 Tour de France.

ARCALIS, Andorra, July 11 - On the big Pyrenean stages at the Tour de France, riders push themselves to the limit as they race over massive mountains and storm down on high-speed descents. On TV it all looks so epic, with tens of thousands of spectators lining the roads cheering wildly against a backdrop of beautiful vistas, but when you come to the Pyrenees in person, the blazing sun hits you immediately. You don't quite get that from watching the race on TV, but it can be an intense atmosphere.

For the riders, the sultry conditions make racing harder and recovery between stages more complicated. Even under the best conditions, sleeping becomes a challenge for these world-class cyclists as they get further into this three-week race. Their bodies becomes "wired," sports director Charly Wegelius told Business Insider. Many riders will tell you it gets harder to sleep, especially if the hotel you're staying in has no air-conditioning.

Knowing all that, the American Cannondale-Drapac team this year brought cooling mattress toppers called ChiliPads from the US. Kevin Reichlin, the team's chiropractor, found out about the product in the off-season and brought it to the attention of team boss Jonathan Vaughters, who asked Reichlan to bring nine of the pads to the Tour, one for each rider. They cost between $450 and $1,100.

Here's how they help keep the best cyclists cool and comfortable at the Tour de France: