He contorts himself into the most bizarre cycling positions imaginable, prefers bikes home made from BMX frame tubes and washing machine bearings to custom built carbon rigs and trains on a mountain bike with a kids seat on – there’s no denying Graeme Obree is one of the ‘Characters of Cycling’.

Now they’re planning a feature film on his gruelling and idiosyncratic life, and they’ve asked Sean Connery to be in it. Producer Peter Broughan said: “Talks are ongoing and we’re hopeful that Sir Sean will agree to take the part. He has been a big fan of cycling and particularly Graeme Obree.
“The film, I would say, is The Full Monty meets Chariots of Fire in lycra.”

Don’t expect Sean to be putting in ‘Superman’ laps of the velodrome though, Trainspotting’s Jonny Lee Miller is first choice for the title role. Obree is said to be honoured that Mr Connery is considering a part as his mentor though. Hmm, very Highlander.

Shooting is due to start in the autumn but no news yet on plot lines, we’re eagerly looing forward to some sort of Rocky style Obree V Boardman showdown if the US writers get hold of it, or perhaps Braveheart on wheels?