BB FANS

Thu 1 July, 2004 19:36

PARIS (Reuters) - A French magistrate has placed cycling time-trial world champion David Millar under official judicial inquiry on suspicion of "acquiring and possessing toxic substances", a judicial source has said.

The Briton had already been banned from the Tour de France starting on Saturday as his Cofidis team is under investigation in a doping probe. Several other riders have also been barred from the race while they remain under scrutiny

Is that cycling with an "s"?

No, that's cycling with a bike .

Really? Millar? Under investigation. I don't follow the sport any more and wondered where Millar was. Used to follow it, years ago, when Millar (Robert), Roche, LeMond, Fignon were racing. Sean Kelly is my all-time sports hero. Since they brought in the helmet rule my interest dwindled (so did my own amateur racing 'career' having discovered alcohol and a penchant for crashing ) as it's almost impossible to recognise the riders. Sponsorship too, as in football (and motor-racing, used to have a massive interest in that too), has taken over the sport and it's become less-concerned with the hardcore fans.

What still amazes me today is the total apathy we have for cycling in the UK - it's such a HUGE sport on the continent.