By Bernie Legg, Cycling Correspondent

Tough questions are being asked after a professional cyclist who does not suffer from asthma was still able to win this year’s Tour de France.

Geraint Thomas won the world’s most grueling cycling event despite being entirely healthy.

Critics want to know how the Team Sky member could possibly have done so well without having at least one asthma attack while pedaling up an Alp.

Cycling expert Lorraine Fisher, 34, said: “It’s well-known you must have asthma in order to do well at this event.

“Previous winners Chris Froome and Bradley Wiggins were classic sufferers from ill-health and were adept at taking entirely legal drugs to help them along.

“Thomas’ victory raises serious questions about how he could have done so without being hampered by wheezing or sneezing attacks.”

Cycling fans say an athlete winning such a high-profile event using talent alone could bring the sport into serious disrepute.

Steve Walshe, 38, from Woodbridge in Suffolk said: “His victory will always be tainted by rumours that he was clean. It’s a disgrace.”

Thomas is the first Welsh man or woman to win the Tour de France.