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The success of Britain's cyclists in Beijing was aided by cutting edge technology
Ed Clancy said he would not mind having his two collar bones broken. But then, thankfully, someone said 'what on earth are you doing?' and this madness was stopped.
David Brailsford
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The suits worn by Britain's track cyclists at the Beijing Olympics have been destroyed to prevent rivals getting their hands on the technology, performance director David Brailsford revealed.
Great lengths were taken to ensure information about the suits remained top secret.
It meant that none of the cyclists, who won eight of Great Britain's 19 gold medals in Beijing, could keep them as mementoes of their success.
"Our skin suits were sent out to Japan so that the person who put them together in Japan did not know where they were from and there was no link," said Brailsford.
"Those suits were created by British Cycling and Adidas put the labels on.
"We got them back and they have been shredded because we believe that the technology will hold well for 2012."
Such attention to detail has helped make Britain's track cycling squad the envy of the world.
Barmy ideas
Brailsford admits it was one of their less barmy ideas. They also mulled over a plan to try and cope with the most common injury in cycling - except it involved breaking the collar bones of one of their top riders.
He said: "Ed Clancy (who won gold in the Olympic team pursuit) said he would not mind having his two collar bones broken.
"But then, thankfully, someone said 'what on earth are you doing?' and this madness was stopped."
A special BMX track, near the Manchester Velodrome, was built for medal hopeful Shanaze Reade to practise on.
But Brailsford recalled: "The challenge was that when it was left at night all the local kids were there with their boards and using it. It was a challenge to keep them off it."
Many of Britain's Beijing Olympic champions including Sir Chris Hoy, Jamie Staff, Jason Kenny, Ed Clancy and Victoria Pendleton will be back in the saddle for the final round of the UCI Track Cycling World Cup in Copenhagen from February 13 to 15.
