Shocking pic captures the brutality of Tour de France

Polish cyclist Pawel Poljanski has shown off the ridiculous effects of competing in one of the toughest events in sport.

The 27-year-old is currently competing in the Tour de France, and took to social media to show his fans what the gruelling race has done to him.

CUTENESS OVERLOAD: Adorable toddler cheers dad to stage win

He posted a truly shocking picture of his legs on Instagram, showing his highly vascular veins popping out all the way down both legs.

"After sixteen stages I think my legs look little tired," he wrote.

Australian cyclist Michael Matthews won the 165 kilometre 16th stage and is now closing in on the green jersey.

The Australian let out hoots of joy when he was notified he had got up by a wheel-length to claim his second stage win on this tour, after claiming stage 14 on Saturday.

Matthews also closed the gap to green jersey wearer Marcel Kittel to 29 points, after the German rider was dropped on one of the stage's earlier climbs, leaving the 26-year-old Australian jubilant.

Chris Froome kept the yellow ahead of two difficult days in the alps as he and his main rivals Fabio Aru, Romain Bardet and Rigoberto Uran - managed to stay at the front and crossed the finish line together.

Froome, the defending champion, has an 18-second lead over Aru, with Romain Bardet 23 seconds back in third place.

The battle for the yellow jersey will resume during the first of two Alpine stages in high altitude.

It will lead riders to the ski station of Serre Chevalier through a gruelling 183-kilometre trek featuring four climbs, including a nearly 12-kilometre ascent to the Col du Galibier.

with AAP