Millar backs time-trial decision

Eurosport - Sat, 26 Sep 15:46:00 2009

David Millar has insisted he was right to sacrifice the time trial in pursuit of road race gold at the UCI Road World Championships in Switzerland on Sunday.

CYCLING David Millar ciclista del Garmin - 1

The Brit (pictured) would have been a medal contender in Thursday's time trial, having raced to victory in the penultimate stage of the Vuelta - a 27.8km time trial in Toledo - two weeks ago.

But having been named British team leader for the championships, the 32-year-old opted to steer clear of the time trial, eventually won by Olympic champion Fabian Cancellara, and concentrate on Sunday's 262.2km road race instead.

And the Brit is adamant his preparation for the event could not have gone better, leaving him with a fighting chance of reaching the podium in Switzerland.

"I think I've got quite a good chance on Sunday," said Millar. "There's been a lot of thinking and planning and the whole last two months have been focused on this race.

"After winning the time trial last weekend I knew I had a very good chance of a medal on Thursday but it wouldn't have been possible to complete the Tour of Spain, the time trial and then the road race.

"I didn't want to finish the Vuelta early so as far as I was concerned the best preparation for me was to finish the Tour of Spain then do the road race in Switzerland."

Cancellara is back on the road on Sunday and is among the favourites as he aims to become the first man to scoop the world time trial and road race titles in the same year.

And although Millar conceded the Swiss star is sure to be in the mix, he also pointed to the Spanish and Italian teams as likely contenders.

"Fabian has got to be one of the biggest threats on home soil with the form he's got but you have to look at the strong countries of Spain and Italy," said Millar, who will be supported by a maximum roster of eight other British riders.

"The Spanish will be particularly strong because they've just finished their national tour and will be extremely motivated with some of the best riders in the world in the form of Alejandro Valverde, Oscar Freire and Samuel Sanchez.

"Then there are the Italians who have a very provocative style of racing and have won the last three years running.

"But we'll try and work off their tactics and see how it goes. This race is such a waiting game and it doesn't really start for the team leaders until about three laps to go so we'll bide our time and see how it goes."

More than the Games / Eurosport

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  1. In Millar's defence, who else was going to lead the­ British team? I suppose the next best would've­ been (the South-African) Froome or maybe Cummings. ­ Against the likes of Evans, Cancellara, Sanchez,­ Kolobnvev, Valverde, Cunego et al, it was always a­ hiding to nothing?! Either way, given the form he­ showed in the RR, he would've struggled to get a­ top-20 spot in the TT. Bottom line is, team GB were­ never a factor in the race and are well off the pace­ compared to the established nations of Spain, Italy,­ Belgium, Holland...............or even France! Lots of­ work for Brailsford and his team to do on the road over­ the next few years.

    From pedro118118, on Mon 28 Sep 3:44PM

  2. UNSURPRISINGLY, IT PROVED TO BE A TERRIBLE DECISION

    From Vítor, on Mon 28 Sep 11:21AM

  3. D- wiggins just finished 4th in the grand boucle of­ cyclin he is no has been

    From djwiners, on Sun 27 Sep 9:49PM

  4. MILLER WOULD OF BEEN JUST AS BAD AS WIGGO WE STILL­ HAV'NT GOT IT YET BRING ON THE YOUNGSTERS FORGET­ ABOUT WIGGO AND MILLER THAY ARE HAS BEENS.....

    From D, on Sun 27 Sep 6:56PM

  5. Wouldn't it be sweet redemption for Millar and all­ those who have turned from cheater to legit.

    From istoleyourbicycle, on Sat 26 Sep 6:56PM

  6. Go Millar go !!!

    From SteveJ, on Sat 26 Sep 4:23PM
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