Photo courtesy Ray Smith Photography
Cycling is a sport steeped in the tradition of style. There’s no denying it. From the days of miners and farmers escaping the hardships of a life spent toiling in harsh and filthy conditions either under or above ground, through Coppi and his Cosa Nostra-esque garb and swagger, Merckx and De Vlaeminck’s 70s sideburns, to Cipo and his many hits and misses both on and off the bike, there have always been riders who just look the part. I don’t hesitate to add David Millar’s name to that list as a modern day doyen of cycling style.
While we’re all wrapped up in farewells and handing out plaudits, let’s not forget that the curtain is about to be lowered on the long and storied, some may say sullied, career of this polarising British rider. Yes, we all know what he did. We have either accepted it and re-accepted him, or possibly still hold him in contempt. To me, he was always a classy Pro with a fluid riding style, a constant time trial threat, a worthy wearer of the Maillot Jaune and Maglia Rosa, a multiple stage winner in all three Grand Tours. Nothing more, nothing less. Not a fan, more an observer and moderate admirer.
Off the bike, however, Millar’s style is something I’m definitely a fan of. Maybe it’s because of his inherent Britishness that enables him to pull off the array of casual, smart, almost foppish looks which he does so well. Crisp collared shirts, tailored suits, pastel polos, smart shoes, just the right balance between ostentatious and sensible accessories. In the peloton, you could usually rely on him to be largely Rule compliant (and even if he wasn’t, he’d somehow manage to get a pass with ease). Being a tall and thin guy myself, his dress sense and attention to detail is not the worst template to work from. Especially as I’ll never pedal a bike as well as he did.
I think cycling has always had a tradition of being a bit dapper, especially back in the day. Fausto Coppi, Jacques Anquetil and that older generation were renowned for being suave and sophisticated gentlemen off the bike–that’s something I was enchanted by. They always looked so cool. Cycling is based so much on form, on aesthetics, on class–the way you carry yourself on the bike, the sort of technique you have.
David Millar via
Chapeau Mr Millar.
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@Mikael Liddy
This.
I think we were separated at birth, I also own lots of pink Rapha gear and a pair or two of burgundy Paul Smith shoes that I've had for years.
As much as I'm a fan of Millar's sense of style - and I am - I'm a much bigger fan of the mentality with which he approaches the highs and lows of the sport, almost like a thinking man's version of Jens (murky past and all). He gave an interview straight after the prologue in the 2006 Tour after coming back from his ban and it just showed how unbelievably happy he was just to be riding his bike again - as I imagine any of us would be if we ever made it to the Tour.
On the other hand, I'll always empathise with the frustration of the Millarcopter. I particularly liked him specifically calling out Mavic's discs on air after suffering two punctures in the first long TT of the 2007 Tour. It'd be nice to have more pros owning up to when their equipment goes wrong and having the company take responsibility for it.
@Mikael Liddy
The clothes make the man. The shoes make the clothes. Damn Those are fine.
@wiscot
hey Wiscot, allow me to introduce you to the concept of wife pounds and wife pound conversion. Exchange rate is approximately 1 Wife Pound = 3.5 English Pounds. ( conservative enough to be believable!) Eg the must have set of Bont's/ Sidi's that you've been drooling over come in at a very reasonable £80 WP 's. Cervelo S5 with Di 2 is a mere two grand. I need to add that shredding the CC bill will become a monthly ritual, batted away by casual throwaway one liners such as "i pay it on-line now sweetness."
An interesting read - plus he's a lover of cycle caps........
http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/oct/10/david-millar-cycling
DAvid
@gilly
Ah-ha! Being single (and not cycling when I was married) means I'm unfamiliar with the conversion rates. I can very much understand the issue though . . .
So here is Mr Millar at his last race - getting changed from a car (Jaguar) by the side of the road, a bit of a change from the Sky bus.
And a few more shots from the Bec Hill Climb.
Haven't seen all the results yet but my mate Jamie won the Catford Climb - world's longest-running cycle race - in the morning and was in third place on the Bec.
@ChrisO David came 21st in the end (http://www.velouk.net/2014/10/13/result-bec-cycling-club-hill-climb/). I rather expect he hoped to do better! Having struggled up White Lane a few times myself and being pleased to get up alive in under 3:30, I wonder if he'd ever ridden it before? It's one of those short, nasty climbs where knowing where it ramps up and where it flattens out, help cuts seconds off your time.
I did a few hill climbs back in the day - end of season, usually to qualify for a season-long internal club competition. They're a great aspect of the sport in the UK, very spectator friendly and guaranteed to put you deep, deep in the pain cave. The specialists would tailor their fixed gear ratios to each climb.
Not sure how it is now with clipless pedals, but they always used to have a couple of blokes ready to catch riders as they crossed the line too exhausted to reach down and loosen their straps. Happy days . . .