Sunday, February 16, 2020

In Search of Robert Millar (Richard Moore)

Richard Moore
In Search of Robert Millar



An in depth write up of Millar's stellar career, well compared to those Brits who had come before, and the disappointing ending of it. Written by a keen nearly-was cyclist who has a real feel for the sport and those in it. Millar comes over as a mixed up sort of guy who some think is lovely, funny (albeit darkly humorous) and committed. Others think it's a complete twat and to be fair some of his actions (throwing away a young autograph hunters paper and pen) support this view. He was both. He didn't like the pressures of pro cycling and refused to play along. There again, that's the world he wanted to be in. He was undoubtedly a brilliant climber possibly the best we've ever produced. The book is written after Millar's career has ended and he's vanished from both public view and those who knew him. There are stories that he's going through a change into a woman and his few statements not denying that fuel the tabloid media fire. Some of his close friends think it's ridiculous and others think it's been obvious for ages. Both sets seem to have a view of "so what - let him be what he wants" which is odd given that in sports there are so few that are not seen as straight - at least among men. Millar's analysis of the use of stats and science on the track can never be translated to road racing has been undone by Sky's success in the grand tours. As a final note here's an article about Millar after he's come out as transitioning...

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