Twitter reacts to David Millar British Cycling role

The news yesterday that former pro-cyclist David Millar, who in 2004 was banned for two years for doping, is working with members of the British Cycling academy squad has predictably proved a controversial one, with opinion split on social media.

> British Cycling confirm David Millar mentoring GB academy riders

Here’s some reaction from Twitter to the news, followed by Millar himself outlining why he believes he is the right person for the role. What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.

> CX stalwart Vin Cox resigns from British Cycling over Millar role

Stef Wyman, owner and manager of the Matrix Pro Cycling women’s team and husband of cyclo-cross star Helen Wyman, wondered if it was an early April Fool story.

If this was published on 1 April, I’d understand. Why. Just Why. https://t.co/wq9narVAJ1

— Stefan Wyman (@ds_stef) February 11, 2016

So I read that news, went for a ride, thought about it a lot, and I still don’t get it. Wonder how I register a team in France…..

— Stefan Wyman (@ds_stef) February 11, 2016

Multiple national mountain bike champion Jenny Copnall, who now works as a coach, was adamant Millar should not be allowed to work with youngsters.

When you have existed and raced in environments where doping happens you would never ever allow your child to be mentored by a former doper.

— Jenny Copnall (@JennyCopnall) February 12, 2016

Better surely "rider who rode at top level despite dopers". World Champ, Olympic Champ, Nicole Cooke anyone?

— Jenny Copnall (@JennyCopnall) February 12, 2016

But cycling photographer Camille McMillan believed some had missed the point.

Good work @BritishCycling getting @millarmind as a mentor.
I think a few people on here need to look up the word 'mentorship'

— Camille (@camillemcmillan) February 11, 2016

Sky Sports reporter Orla Chennaoui described it as a “smart” move.

David Millar to take on British Cycling role after volunteering as mentor. Invaluable racing nous & anti-doping cautionary tale in one.Smart

— Orla Chennaoui (@SkyOrla) February 11, 2016

And York-based British Cycling commissaire Rich Mellen said he believed it was Millar’s own experience which made him exactly the right choice to mentor youngsters.

Can he not guide others in what NOT to do.Can he not lead others down the right path?Surely he is better than someone who never got caught?

— Rich Mellen (@hardboiled2006) February 12, 2016

Millar himself told the Guardian’s William Fotheringham that he could pass on vital lessons to young riders that would help them as they progressed through the sport.

“I have been there and done it all recently, good and bad,” he explained. “It will make that world seem real to them. I’m still close to what they are dreaming of. They can ask me things and they will know they will get real-life experiences as an answer. It’s not just a matter of telling them what not to do, but why.

“I can tell them about the risks, how [doping] can damage you. It’s about qualifying them for the world they are going into. Cycling has cleaned up its act, it’s possible to get to the top clean, but you can see from what’s happening in athletics that there is a way to go.

“I’m in a strong position to educate those guys on what happens. If one of them has doubts about someone he is riding against, sees something he doesn’t understand, he can talk to me.

“He will know I will do something about it and that I will give him an idea of how to cope with it,” he added.

While he was banned, Millar revealed to British Cycling the extent of doping then taking place within the professional ranks, with his knowledge helping the governing body formulate its anti-doping policy in terms of protecting young riders.

He became one of the more outspoken voices in the sport against doping, and served on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s athlete panel.

But as was seen after his inclusion in the Team GB squad for the road race at London 2012 (after the British Olympic Association’s lifetime Olympic bans for dopers were ruled incompatible with the World Anti-Doping Code), the controversy over his British Cycling role shows he remains a divisive figure.

> David Millar cleared to ride at Olympic Games

Despite the furore, he was working yesterday with the academy squad in Montechiari, Italy, tweeting this picture.

First Academy race of the year completed. @Matt_Gibson96 cruises to over @olliewood95 & @GabzCullaigh. pic.twitter.com/K2m1HbvpzQ

— David Millar (@millarmind) February 11, 2016