[Cyclefrance]

It seems strange to think that just before the Beijing Olympics next year, the UK parliament votes to ban smoking in any public place in England. Given the extent of air pollution in China this will seriously affect our acclimatisation training and leave our athletes at a distinct disadvantage compared to those from the host country and other places that share the same atmospheric conditions - like India and Greece.

Of course it could be a deliberate move to prepare the ground for any resultant poor medal showing.... excuse already to hand