Millar a ‘prisoner of fame and money’

DISGRACED British cyclist David Millar has admitted using EPO in the build-up to his victory in the World Championships last year. He won the world title in the time-trial with a near-faultless display in Hamilton, Canada.

But the 27-year-old revealed in his declaration to French judge Richard Pallain on July 1 that he had “cheated” by using the banned-blood booster in preparation for his victory.

Pallain is leading the investigation into drugs allegations against Millar’s team Cofidis.

Last month, Millar was detained by French police for 48 hours for questioning and admitted taking EPO. Following this admission his home in Biarritz was searched and two empty syringes which had contained the banned substance were found.

During the hearing, Millar admitted he used EPO on three occasions, once in 2001 and twice in 2003. He withdrew from the British Olympic team on July 2 after the admissions.

Millar’s declaration to Pallain was published in L’Equipe yesterday.

“I took EPO when I was in Manchester and the two syringes found at my home were those I injected to myself in Manchester. I had taken them back home not to forget that I had become world champion in Hamilton while being doped.

“I had always dreamt of becoming a world champion, I had reached that aim but I had cheated. I drugged myself because I was a prisoner of myself, of fame and money.

During the hearing Millar also claimed he had been introduced to EPO by a team-mate before the 2001 Tour of Spain in which he won the prologue and stage six. Millar blamed his decision to use EPO on the pressure of achieving in the sport, particularly after being made Cofidis team leader in 1999.

He said: “In 1999 I was very tired and did not feel like cycling anymore. I started partying in the summer and that’s when I broke my heel and was forced out for four months until the start of the year 2000.

“I had a lot of problems resuming training and I was not happy in my professional life. There was also the pressure from Cofidis. I felt as the leader and I knew I had to participate in the Tour de France. I resumed training, won the prologue (at the Poitiers Futuroscope) and I spent three great weeks.

“I took EPO because I knew that the Cofidis team was going to Spain for La Vuelta on the condition that I would do it and get a result.”