Milky Bar kid
WITH the Tour De France just around the corner, Stubbington spies have discovered that the man widely known as the Milky Bar kid is in secret training for the world's toughest cycling race.
The cycling world was shocked last year when seven-time Tour de France winner, Lance Armstrong, decided to step aside. Some thought it was to spend more time with his family in Texas, others felt it was because he was tired by the incessant enquiries into drug-taking, but now the truth is out.
The American quit when news filtered through to his home in Austin, Texas, that the multi-talented, chocolate-munching Stubby, Andy Simpson, was looking to break into the sport.
Not content with the Wessex and Hampshire Cross Country leagues, "Simmo" has been secretly putting the pedal to the metal around the roads of Titchfield Common and the south coast for the past 18 months building up his strength and stamina in the cause of cycling glory.
He has been working with sports scientists at the University of Southampton in pursuit of this unlikely dream. He has been working with engineers to design the perfect aerodynamic and lightweight bike, been fitted with the latest in bodyskin clothing, spending hours with fitness trainers building up his Charles Atlas body, and with dieticians trying hard to dispense with his usual pre-race diet of beer, wine, chocolate, chips and burgers.
It has been a project prepared to the finest detail, including training at altitude, and recently with warm weather preparation in the Canary Islands with the Tour de France now less than a month away.
Here, our super spy captured Andy in training on his bike at Lanzarote. Look at the style, look at the poise, look at the concentration and effort....look at the hat!!! No. Really! Is this the latest in hat technology, or is Andy Simpson riding with his cycling helmet back to front?!
Maybe this is part of a new aerodynamic, trend-setting plan. The cycling world remains agog and will be watching carefully when Andy takes his place on the Tour de France start line in Strasbourg on July 1st.
Allez le Milky Bar Garcon!