David Millar Documentary



This is a Spanish TV sports documentary from Canal+. The Informe Robinson show is a slick production with tight editing and sharp photography. Much of the audio is in English so if you’re don’t speak Spanish, be patient.

After Millar explains what attracts him to the sport, factors I can only agree with, the heavy topic of doping dominates. Normal, Spanish TV isn’t going to do a 30 minute prime-time TV show with an English-speaker for his views on training with a power meter, nor his take on the Spanish economy. It is important viewing, Millar explains out how widespread the practice was and how “being professional” wasn’t the status on your racing licence, it was getting the job done. This meant using banned substances professionally.

The documentary mirrors Millar’s “Racing Through The Dark” autobiography, indeed he reads passages from it. But there is more, especially when Millar speaks about his emotions, past and present although there is more, for example Millar’s views on Miguel Indurain and, topically, he sets himself up for a selective lawsuit from the UCI.

Talking of suits this is worth watching to admire the sartorial panache of Garmin-Sharp team boss Jonathan Vaughters but his snappy outfit shouldn’t distract from his words, he ends with a tribute to his rider.

As the sport finds itself caught up by its past here is someone who, if he hasn’t escaped, is still standing and there are lessons to be learned here. Especially as Millar is articulate and willing to talk about the past, a rarity.

Millar is not for everyone and if he’s won some round there are still many sceptics. A problem perhaps is that he’s almost a lone voice saying “I doped, I’m sorry” and if you don’t like his style, you tend not to listen. If there were others with similar things to say then the message itself would spread instead of stalling on the subject of Millar himself.

Either way press play and the full screen option allows for a good quality resolution. The “Robinson Report” is presented by Michael Robinson, an Irishman and former football player..