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<strong>By Bernie Legg, Cycling Correspondent

Weedy asthmatics and allergy sufferers are most likely to win punishing professional cycling events, an official report has confirmed.</strong>

Far from being a hindrance, not being able to breathe properly is just what is needed to excel in events like the Tour de France or Giro de Italia.

Wheezing, sneezing and coughing on your bike will help propel you fastest for hundreds of miles a day - and up huge mountains in the Alps quicker than seemingly fit athletes.



A study released today by a House of Commons Select committee has confirmed that the link between being sickly and success at professional cycling is too strong to ignore.

MP Lorraine Fisher, 34, who headed the study, said: "We all remember the weedy, sickly kids at school who couldn't breathe after walking up the stairs.

"And then there were those who began sneezing the moment the sun came out, or as soon as they went within half a mile of a meadow.

"And we recall at the time that they were not terribly good at sport, and were always last to be picked.

"But our study has found that for some reason many of them have become champions at professional cycling."

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It is not known why people with terrible asthma or allergy problems are so good at what is widely regarded as one of the most physically demanded sports in the world.

But one theory is that the puffer inhalers that they use for their debilitating conditions make them go faster than anyone else.

Cycling expert Steve Walshe explained: "Cycling has to improve its image and is therefore absolutely clamping down on the drugs cheats.

"This means that even people who can't breathe properly can compete with the best in the sport and win astonishing endurance events like the Tour de France."

The Suffolk Gazette reached out to famous asthma patients Sir Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome for comment, but has so far had no response.

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