Millar’s appointment was one of Sutton’s last acts as technical director before the Australian fell on his sword in April in the wake of explosive allegations of bullying, sexism and discrimination. The Scot did not say much about it at the time – “I figured it was probably best because ‘Drug cheat Millar supports misogynist Shane Sutton’ wouldn’t be the best headline ever” – but he is strongly defensive of Sutton, echoing Sir Bradley Wiggins’s recent thoughts that the major mistake was appointing him to the top job without a Dave Brailsford figure above him. He points to this academy, and the women’s one opening up later this year, as proof that Sutton was trying to put the building blocks in place for future success.

“Oh Shane is mad,” he laughs. “As mad as a box of frogs. But they all are. Elite sport is nasty. But I will tell you something about my experience of Shane: if you fall down, he will be the first to pick you back up again. And I think they forget that. Everyone [who criticised him] has forgotten just how many times he helped them back up.