...Can someone please tell me the advantages of wearing "technical
clothing" (polypro and moisture-wicking fabrics) when performing
intense physical activity?

If I know (with a reasonable certainty) that I will be able keep
generating heat for the whole duration of an event, then I still use
cotton on occasion. if I always have warmth to spare the choice of
clothes becomes much less important. But I much prefer the wicking
stuff because it doesn't stick to your body in the same clammy adhesive
way that soaked cotton has.
However, if I suspect that I some time during the event will run the
risk of getting cooled off, then the wicking stuff has great
advantages. A fair-sized descent is all that it takes to turn a cotton
tee into something really uncomfortable.

I can't say that I've noted anything negative about tech clothing
except maybe being somewhat less resistant to abrasion and , of course,
sparks.


--
dabac