“Until the countdown to an event we are obliged to adhere to social conditioning even to the extent of chatting to the timekeeper, officials or other riders.

Six days after the Union Cycliste International (UCI) suspended their defamation case against author and journalist Paul Kimmage, the Irishman launched a counter-case of his own last night against UCI president Pat McQuaid and former UCI president Hein Verbruggen, accusing the pair of slander/defamation, denigration and “strong suspicions of fraud”.

Irish journalist Paul Kimmage has lodged a criminal complaint against International Cycling Union president Pat McQuaid and honorary president Hein Verbruggen in a move which will subject the leadership of the world governing body to further scrutiny.

PHEW.

A charming Chariots of Fire-like film, the true story of Scottish cyclist Graeme Obree and his burning desire to set a new World One Hour Record.