Story highlights
- Poljański posts photo of legs after Tour de France's 16th stage
(CNN)If you were in any doubt as to just how grueling the Tour de France really is, then look no further than Paweł Poljański's legs.
The Polish cyclist, riding for German team Bora--Hansgrohe, posted a photo on social media after stage 16 to give fans an idea of the effect cycling's most prestigious race has on an athletes' bodies.
Burned by the scorching sun and with veins bulging, Poljański's photo lays bare the daily rigors endured by these fiercest of competitors.
"After sixteen stages I think my legs look little tired," the 27-year-old wrote on his Instagram account.
This year's edition of the Tour de France sees 198 riders tackle a brutal 23-day, 21-stage, 3,540-kilometer route that takes in 23 mountain climbs and affords competitors just two rest days.
For the first time since 1992, all five of France's mountain ranges -- the Vosges, the Jura, the Pyrénées, the Massif central and the Alps -- will feature, while three of the five mountain stages include altitude finishes.
The 104th Tour de France also sees the riders take in the sights of neighboring Germany, Belgium and Luxemburg and 34 French counties.
Photos: Tour de France 2017: Best photos
Against the backdrop of the Arc de Triomphe, Britain's Chris Froome rides to his fourth Tour de France win.
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Photos: Tour de France 2017: Best photos
Froome toasts a member of his team during the last stage of the Tour de France race.
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Photos: Tour de France 2017: Best photos
"Each time I've won the Tour it's been so unique, so different, such a different battle to get to this moment," said Froome.
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Photos: Tour de France 2017: Best photos
"This year I think will be remembered for certainly being the closest and most hard-fought battle," added Froome. The Briton controlled much of the Tour but on stage 12 Italy's Fabio Aru did take hold of the yellow jersey.
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Photos: Tour de France 2017: Best photos
Marcel Kittel of Germany and the Quick-Step Floors team celebrates his victory in stage two of the 2017 Tour de France, a 203.5 kilometer ride from Dusseldorf to Liege. With five stage wins already this year, the 29-year-old is just two away from breaking into the top 10 riders with most stage wins in history.
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