We continue our series of Pelotan Performance Insights: offering bitesize education into the world of sun protection in sports.

With cloudy skies above as we limp into summer, we've been speaking with some of our Pelotan athletes about the impact of cloud cover on UV rays and shedding light on a common misconception. It’s easy to assume that clouds block out harmful UV rays, but the truth is quite different...

In fact, up to 80% of UV rays can penetrate through clouds. This means that even when the sky is grey or cloudy and it feels cooler outside, your skin is still at risk from harmful UV radiation. These rays can cause sunburn, reduce recovery and increase the risk of skin cancer over time.

While you might not see the sun, UVA and UVB rays are still reaching your skin. UVA rays, in particular, can penetrate deeper into the skin, leading to long-term damage (more on UVA and UVB rays in next week's Performance Insights...) A lot of the athletes we work with have come home from training or racing in seemingly innocuous weather with sunburn, but by utilising a performance sunscreen that feels incredibly light, hopefully these days are numbered.

It can seem unnecessary to protect your skin on these kinds of days, but with the longer days meaning more time cycling, running or generally being active outdoors, it's as important as ever. Whether you're training under a blazing sun or through an overcast sky, Pelotan keeps your skin safe and lets you focus on your performance.