All eyes were on Denmark, the favorite to win the men's team pursuit qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics on Monday, but even before the four-athlete team got on their bikes, there was a big story.

On the front of the athletes' shins, extending up from the inside of their socks, was a strip of kinesiology tape that ran just below the knee.

Kinesiology tape is not uncommon in professional sports. Kinesiology tape is not uncommon in professional sports. It is regularly used to support muscles and joints in the event of injury or imbalance, and in this case, the same tape was applied to both legs of all four athletes.

Coincidentally, the tape's location also served as a trip strip, creating turbulence in the incoming air, keeping it attached to the surface of the leg longer and improving the rider's aerodynamic performance.

Chris Boardman's tweet blamed the team for this, claiming that it was a coincidence that all four riders suffered similar injuries and were in a more favorable spot to tape.

The team is supported by aerodynamics expert Dan Biggum, who has a reputation for finding performance improvements through advances in aerodynamics and technology. As such, many believe this is a tactical use of kinesiology tape rather than a medical one.

The UCI rules on this matter state that "items of clothing may not alter the rider's form, and non-essential elements or devices that are not intended solely for clothing or protection are prohibited. This is also true for materials or substances applied to skin or clothing that are not themselves garments.

Boardman's second tweet added, "To clarify, I believe [the Danish team] has given the UCI the OK to use the tape."

Cycling News has reached out to both Bigum and the UCI for comment.

Update: However, Team GB's Stephen Park wants a harsher punishment.