David Millar Is a former professional cyclist who has won all three Grand Tour stages including four Tour de France. after appearing Performance-enhancing drugs are prohibitedhe became a figure in the anti-doping movement. He is best known for his role as a co-trial ITV’s Tour de France coverageas well as his former cycling lifestyle brand chut3.
This is part of our Q&A series where we ask some familiar faces the big questions.
What was your first bike?
The first bike I remember was a mountain bike, the Marin Bear Valley. Actually, in 1987, I loved that bike for BMX, the Raleigh Super Tuff burner. Then came Marin at the beginning of mountain biking.
Who was your cycling hero growing up?
Maurizio’s favorite, then Miguel Indurain. Maurizio first because it was 1993 and I had just gotten into road cycling and it was a magical year for him. It was about the first time I followed a bike race and he won [Milan-] Remo, he looks cool on the bike. Actually, that was my riding position when I was younger because I just wanted to ride like Maurizio Fundriest. He was my style guru and then when I turned around in 1997 he joined the team. I’m like 19/20, I’m with him. He is my idol. I got a message from him last year, just a random “Hey man, how are you?” and then I screened him and sent it to my sister. It never will.
What’s the first game you remember watching?
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It has to be the Tour de France on Channel 4. It’s very strange when it comes full circle.
How did you handle the message? ITV’s Tour de France coverage Is it over?
It’s unbelievable because it’s a great thing to do. It was an honor to play this role and to gain the friendship I developed with Ned [Boulting]. Doing something that got me on the bike in the first place – the Channel 4 show – was special. It’s weird, though, because it’s more melancholy than anything, and it’s not just me. When I go on tour my family always come to the UK and they always see that show and they won’t be able to do that. Not only would I not be going on tour with Ned and Pete and having such a great time, but the whole show would be shut down. An entire generation will lose out on touring because they won’t buy subscriptions. It’s weird because I feel sorry for myself but also feel blue at the end of an era.
David Millar with Mark Cavendish at the 2011 World Championships
(Photo credit: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)
What are the best places to take your bike?
It’s so much to say from my cycling career, I always say I’m lucky because I got to do a lot of amazing things. And then, in this cycling renaissance over the past few years, I’ve discovered a whole new level of riding, adventure, and just getting out there and doing these rides, where I’m no longer comparing myself to anyone else, not even me old self. I went out for this purpose and it was a great find.
What has changed?
I had a huge low a few years ago and I kind of hit a rock bottom and then I came out of it and I decided to ride a bike. It was almost like I needed a nine year reset to get back on the bike and for the first time I wasn’t comparing myself to my professional self. Before, I always thought I would never be the same, but now I think I will never be as good as I am now because I will only get worse. That was a lovely revelation. So I love what I can do now, I love doing epic stupid work.
What would you do if you never rode a bike?
I really don’t know. It all took a lot of time to figure out what I really enjoyed doing, which was kind of a generalist thing and I loved being creative. I’m not a designer, but I love working with designers. I like writing. I think I would have been in the creative world, but I don’t know if I ended up here.
