If you told these cyclists that winning doesn't matter, they probably wouldn't listen. They're not exerting all this effort to come second. And sometimes it's the slimmest of margins that makes the difference between first and runner up.

It takes a combination of natural ability, determination and training to win. But now a new product, designed by science, is providing the winning edge.

Brightly coloured, skin hugging sports gear is the preferred clothing for modern athletes. But much of the new, attractive polyester gear has a major drawback. It's a fact of life, that when you exercise this hard, you perspire. And when you stop you can become cold and uncomfortable in synthetic fibres, because unlike natural fibres they can't absorb moisture vapour.

Wool absorbs body moisture, but up till now, it's been considered too heavy and can't be printed like the colourful synthetic fibres.

So CSIRO developed a new product called Sportwool: polyester outside, with a fine wool lining inside, that keeps skin drier.

Unlike this synthetic material, Sportwool releases moisture to the outside of the garment, stopping the fabric from clinging and providing warmth before and after sporting activity.

"We've tested Sportwool on elite athletes on a whole range of high exertion levels and it's been very successful.

The fabric really mops up the sweat from the skin, and makes the athlete far more comfortable."

Long distance marathon runner Pat Farmer has accredited Sportwool with helping him break records in his runs across Australia.

Sportwool is kicking goals in our major football league teams, and will give our athletes the edge during the 2000 Sydney Olympics.