David Millar goes after the UCI

[the big ring]

With a completely clean peloton, The Clinic would disappear, and with it, some of its most vocal posters.

I welcome that day.

 

[sittingbison]

...With a completely clean peloton, The Clinic would disappear, and with it, some of its most vocal posters.

I welcome that day.

Its a bit like the Gestapo, concentration camps and WW2.

Yup, there is a certain exhilaration in flying a Spitfire, but the reason for doing so is to overcome the filthy Nazi Regime and all their atrocities. And when the victory is achieved, the war over, sure you give up the Spit but you get to go home and enjoy peace. In fact not give up the Spit, walk away from it and never look back.

Unfortunately the victory for clean cycling is far from certain, its about 1942.

 

[the big ring]

Its a bit like the Gestapo, concentration camps and WW2.

Yup, there is a certain exhilaration in flying a Spitfire, but the reason for doing so is to overcome the filthy Nazi Regime and all their atrocities. And when the victory is achieved, the war over, sure you give up the Spit but you get to go home and enjoy peace. In fact not give up the Spit, walk away from it and never look back.

Unfortunately the victory for clean cycling is far from certain, its about 1942.

And Garmin and Sky are annexing "clean cycling" for themselves.

I still can't get over the implication, by the way Alberto's Vuelta win was avoided, that Millar doesn't consider him clean.

 

[blackcat]

And Garmin and Sky are annexing "clean cycling" for themselves.

Anglophones.

Anglos=/=doping. Its a pleonasm.

 

[the big ring]

Anglophones.

Anglos=/=doping. Its a pleonasm.

Finally I learn something in this thread.

pleonasm: noun; The use of more words than are necessary to convey meaning (e.g., see with one's eyes).

Similar to tautology, by the looks.

 

[Morbius]

The BBC Sport article on this mentions an interview by Millar on BBC Radio 5Live. Does anyone have a link, or even know in which programme this happened?
EDIT: I'm not sure if this is the same interview, but there are some quotes in here that will give new life to this thread:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/19688373

 

[goggalor]

Millar, who came back in 2006 from a two-year doping ban after admitting his guilt, is furious at Landis.

"He's reached the end of the road and I just find it disgusting," said Millar from his home training base in Girona, Spain. "He's a liar and a cheat and he has nothing left in cycling so he just wants to burn the house down."

After Landis' ban four years ago, Millar said he tried calling him to give advice on how to return to the sport. He never received a return call.

"If he had stood up and manned up four years ago, he'd be racing the Tour de France now," Millar said. "He'd have a different book out. He'd have not lost a penny. He'd be admired by young people. He would have a different life ahead of him. He'd be in a decent mental state. He'd be sober.

"And he'd be married."

However, many in cycling believe doping was widespread in the early 2000s. How does anyone know Landis is lying?

"That's the problem," Millar said. "Now he's lost the ability to tell the truth whether it is or not. That's what's despicable about it - and sad. Because I'm sure there's truth in some of it. But it doesn't mean anything anymore."

Added McQuaid: "It's possible there's certain elements of truth but it's possible there are certain elements of lies. Therefore, that discredits everything he said."

Read more: Landis fallout continues as Garmin official gets support in doping allegations - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_15175682?obref=obnetwork

F*ck David Millar.

 

[bobbins]

Was McQuaid talking about Millar in that quote ^

 

[goggalor]

Was McQuaid talking about Millar in that quote ^

No, they're both talking about Landis, and saying exactly the same thing.

 

[Mrs John Murphy]

I think it's more that McQuaid's quote about Landis could be said just as easily about David Millar as well.

 

[noddy69]

That is from 2010 and while relevant to a degree not the most up to date material. Millar holding himself up as a bastion back then and trying to reach out and tell Floyd how to come back, and even goading that he would still be married is despicable. I can imagine how that would go.

"Floyd just keep your mouth shut, dont spit in the soup and rat out everyone, we can protect you as long as you play the game".....I wonder does Millar's quote not sum up Floyd but himself and in reality he is lashing out at floyd when in reality it is addressed to himself.
"Now he's lost the ability to tell the truth whether it is or not.

I believe Millar has never told the truth in full, he has never let go of the secrets that shame cycling and has only served to protect those who tarnish the sport by hiding behind his own culpability.

 

[hrotha]

Its a bit like the Gestapo, concentration camps and WW2.

Yup, there is a certain exhilaration in flying a Spitfire, but the reason for doing so is to overcome the filthy Nazi Regime and all their atrocities. And when the victory is achieved, the war over, sure you give up the Spit but you get to go home and enjoy peace. In fact not give up the Spit, walk away from it and never look back.

Unfortunately the victory for clean cycling is far from certain, its about 1942.

Once the war is done, you still have veteran gatherings and reenactment. We'll use the Clinic to discuss the history of dope, being proud of our small contributions to the war.

Not that the war is likely to ever end though.

 

[thehog]

That is from 2010 and while relevant to a degree not the most up to date material. Millar holding himself up as a bastion back then and trying to reach out and tell Floyd how to come back, and even goading that he would still be married is despicable. I can imagine how that would go.

"Floyd just keep your mouth shut, dont spit in the soup and rat out everyone, we can protect you as long as you play the game".....I wonder does Millar's quote not sum up Floyd but himself and in reality he is lashing out at floyd when in reality it is addressed to himself.
"Now he's lost the ability to tell the truth whether it is or not.

I believe Millar has never told the truth in full, he has never let go of the secrets that shame cycling and has only served to protect those who tarnish the sport by hiding behind his own culpability.

"At the January 2004 Cofidis Team presentation, David Millar wearing the world champions winners band on his jersey (ITT) said 'I don't want to comment on this (Gaumont affair) - except to say that I have never used drugs, and I am convinced that this controversy doesn't include anyone else in the team. I wish to re-iterate I have never used illegal products'.

 

[zigmeister]

Many praise people like Millar that they are coming forward and speaking about doping and the efforts to stop it.

Humorous how every single one of these guys coming out against doping now, were former dopers that benefited from the doping they proclaim is now so evil and bad for the sport.

The very people who have helped build the terrible reputation cycling has now with doping and omerta, are doing an about face and attacking the UCI and others.

One needs to only look in the mirror as a doper. The people that have contributed to the reputation of cycling doping issue, like Millar, ARE the reason the sport has the issue it does.

The UCI plays a part, but it starts with an athlete performing the actual doping, duh!!

Very simple concept actually. You don't dope. There, problem solved.

People like Millar want the entire responsibility of the doping issue to be placed on the UCI, not the doper and person responsible for the actual cheating.

That is failed logic. See Mr. Cat, you were not good enough to catch us...so we win, you better get your act together and start catching people! Or you are a bad organization.

I'm not saying the UCI doesn't have its issues. But the cheater needs to take responsibility along with the teams. The teams have a huge role in this. You sign a guy, and the contract simply states along these lines huge consequences: You dope, you are caught, you owe us $10M USD, or whatever $$$ amount. You are banned for life from cycling. Or something harsh along those lines.

There, the team did their part. Now it is up to enforcement, WADA/USADA and UCI. This Omerta nonsense was a problem, and speaking out does help to a point, but when you hit people in their pocket books and livelihood is on the line, surprising how people's attitudes change about things.

What Frank Schleck, a mystery drug was found in your urine...banned for life, $10M penalty...you are done with cycling...good day!!!

 

[RownhamHill]

I still can't get over the implication, by the way Alberto's Vuelta win was avoided, that Millar doesn't consider him clean.

Is it possible the two year doping ban that Alberto finished last month might have clouded his thinking on this point?

More seriously, there's a lot of madonna/***** complex on this forum - seemingly Millar (or anyone else) must be either completely committed to virulent anti-doping at all times, or involved in a cynical pr manipulation for his own ends. Is it possible the truth might lie somewhere in between, or that sometimes he might make more noble decisions than others?

 

[Mrs John Murphy]

Simple question for all those defending Millar:

'Why should we believe or trust David Millar given his previous statements and actions - specifically his earlier condemnation of Landis, his praise of Armstrong and defence of Contador?'

 

[Maxiton]

Simple question for all those defending Millar:

'Why should we believe or trust David Millar given his previous statements and actions - specifically his earlier condemnation of Landis, his praise of Armstrong and defence of Contador?'

Excellent point, one I should have thought of before being so effusive in my praise. It was fun, though, watching McQuaid squirm.

 

[the big ring]

Excellent point, one I should have thought of before being so effusive in my praise. It was fun, though, watching McQuaid squirm.

fun and effectively distracting.

 

[Mellow Velo]

fun and effectively distracting.

Corruption at the highest level of the UCI, not being under the spotlight, at the moment.

 

[the big ring]

Corruption at the highest level of the UCI, not being under the spotlight, at the moment.

Sorry, I do not understand.

 

[Benotti69]

It would appear Kimmage has been converted by Rev Millar

Paul Kimmage ‏@PaulKimmage

David Millar is not a journalist yet but he took his first step this weekend. David has many admirers and many critics...

...and I was once his biggest critic, but we're friends now. He truly loves the sport but (as I once reminded him) his love is blind.

...so he says some incredibly stupid things from time to time. His comments on Floyd Landis for example, and a recent tweet on Contador...

...spring to mind. But there were signs last weekend that he is opening his eyes. I hope, for the sake of the sport, he continues...

I made a lot of mistakes at the start of my career. And still do. Hopefully David can kick-on and be a great journalist...

...my only advice is a tip I got from my friend David Walsh in 1990: "Never run from the truth."

Has Kimmage been reading the Clinic since he is now unemployed and Millar wants to be a journalist! FFS.

 

[Don Quixote]

I'd hardly describe it as 'going after', but given the spineless reluctance of the rest of the pro peloton to even whisper their view on the biggest crisis to hit their sport in 100 yrs you can be forgiven for thinking so. Interestingly, what sets windy aside is his stake in his own team I believe, so it seems he offers a view purely because he can. I do wish Wiggins et al would at least have the courage to come out and say they they can't express an opinion because their teams forbid it, or provide some other explanation.
All this smoke and mirrors just won't do.

 

[Elagabalus]

Great post (up until that tiny boldfaced bit)

I disagree. It's a great post up to and including the boldface bit.

... JV is a marketing strategist. There is still enough money to be made in cycling for JV to stick around. He could have made good bucks outside of cycling. If he'd be interested in clean cycling, imo he sh/w/could have left cycling long ago, knowing (like you and me do) that clean cycling is a utopia as long as the cash flow is as big as it is.

You'll have to explain the logic of that last paragraph. You want JV to say,

"Hi, I'm JV. I'm committed to clean cycling therefore, henceforth, I will not be actively involved in cycling. By my actions I think you can see that my resolve is steadfast! Thank you, goodbye"

How is that going to help clean up cycling?

And the money involved is only going to increase.

No wonder you gave him such a savage mauling the last time he was here. It truly is damned if you do, damned if you don't.

 

[the big ring]

This is David's thread, hence I am putting this here.

Thinking for a moment: how about McGee? I seem to recall him trying to become a GC contender, only to find that he tended to "crack" after a week or two of racing.

Dean Woods, McGree all tried.

McGee finished 8th in Giro one year several minutes down. He tried the whole weight loss thing as well. But he documented the reason why he couldn't complete in no uncertain terms.

"dope"

The only way he could become a world class GT rider was to dope. He then went back to prologues and won the honour of holding the leaders jersey in the Giro, Tour and Vuelta.

In his own words:

"I believe that given the right training, team working creation, recovery and mental approach that anything is possible in my profession. I have not, do not, and never will take performance enhancing drugs or procedures to make this belief come true. Why would I? And yet, given recent estimates and accusations in the media by cyclists, journalists, government officials and even a member of the World Anti Doping Authority (WADA) I fall into a category of 'must be' doped riders.

F*** You.

Come and live with me. Sit in a car and watch me train. Sit up all night stressing over upcoming races and map out game plans. Share the pain through injury and feel the torment when for unknown reasons the form is just not there."

Once again thehog posts with no link, so I go looking, and find this: http://www.roadcycling.com/news-results/week-was-42#.UGEFM1GCWSo

It's March, 2004. Accusations are flying, some of them leveled at Brad McGee, who can't ride GTs as well as he thinks he should be able to do, given his IP ability.

That's just to set the background. Here's David:

Ex-team mate and leader of Philippe Gaumont, Dave Millar has made a steady if not quiet start to the year. Continuing to train and prepare himself for the coming season, Millar has been travelling to Northern Spain along with new teammate?s Stuart O?Grady and Matt White, helping to ease the pressure surrounding him from the fallout of this on-going media fall out. And remember folks, this year could well be Millar Time?..

3 months later, Millar is pinged for doping.

Fast foward to 2008. JV is making a new team, and bring Millar on board: http://velonews.competitor.com/2010...he-tour-of-california-and-win-it-clean_117464

“I have always hired riders that were, first, 100-percent committed to clean racing once they are part of our organization, and second, that I knew could perform at the highest level clean. That doesn’t mean winning everything, that means performing at the highest level, and doing it without doping. Obviously my approach has not been judgmental to the past, as evidenced by fact that David Millar is on our team. Our team has never condemned anyone. We accepted David Millar with open arms into our team because of his abilities, his focus and his dedication to racing clean with us.”

What JV does not mention is Millar also part owner. Apparently this had absolutely NOTHING to do with why they accepted David Millar with open arms.

Next time Matt White is mentioned, Vaughters is hiring White to be Garmin's DS.

JV "ex-US Postal doper" (1998-1999) and David Millar "ex-Cofidis doper" (1997-2004) are hiring Matt White ex-US Postal (2001-2003) / Cofidis (2004-2005) rider to be a DS. To the "clean team". White has never tested positive.

Fast forward 3 years to 2011, and White is being sacked. Why? For sending a rider to a known doping doctor from the US Postal days? Nope. Coz he's sending a rider to an "unapproved by Garmin" medical person.

Fast foward 1 more year, and Millar now claims Ryder (US Postal 2004 / Discover 2005 / Phonak 2006) winning the Giro and Brad Wiggins winning the Tour simply proves the peloton is clean and demands that Pat McQuaid apologise for the unquantified "dark era" of cycling.

Omerta broken. We can all go home now.

 

[thehog]

Miller had an €800k tax bill after he was busted. He wasn't very good at paying tax or riding clean.

Vaughters gave him part ownership in the team which allowed him to clear down the debt.

My understanding is is for the ownership in the team Miller had to be the "face" of clean cycling.

You know. Bad boy come good. Marketing strategy.

White an O'Grady have their own history's. White especially but let's not go there.