Retrospective: David Millar ends a long career as a professional cyclist. Reason enough to look back on 16 varied years and the highs and lows of a cycling career.
Millar's life as a professional cyclist began at the age of 20 with the traditional French team Cofidis. He quickly blossomed into one of the best time trialists on the professional scene at the time. Millar celebrated his first stage win in a grand tour in 2000. He finished the time trial of the first stage of the Tour de France as fastest and as a result was able to claim the yellow jersey for three days.
Such successes came to him again and again in the following years. In 2001 he finished second behind Jan Ulrich in the time trial at the World Championships. In 2004, however, Millar's flight came to an abrupt end. He was convicted of EPO doping and received a two-year ban. During this tough period in his life, Millar realized he needed to be thankful for the opportunities that were being offered to him. "I realized how lucky I am to have the life I do," Millar recalls.
After his return to cycling, the next notable break in Millar's career came in 2008. With the signing of a contract with Garmin, his career as a road captain took on a new dimension. His will to win was unbroken and he was able to win the Giro and Vuelta time trials in 2009 and 2011 respectively. Millar's last major coup was at the 2012 Tour de France. In Annonay-Davézieux, he won from a breakaway group.
Now Millar is excited about his new "normal" life after cycling. He is looking forward to spending more time with his wife Nicole and their two children.