200 men stood ready in Compiègne waiting to begin the 2014 edition of Paris-Roubaix, 200 individual stories rich in texture and unique all their own. How each man came to be there, at that moment, is surely a testament to strength of will, perseverance and dedication. One story in particular stands out for us and that is David Millar’s. After 17 years as a professional, after completing a dozen Tours de France (winning stages and earning the yellow jersey), after numerous completions of the Giro and Vuelta, after winning national championships and numerous international races he stood in Compiègne with thoughts and emotions usually reserved for us mortals. You see—he had never completed Paris-Roubaix, he had tried many times…but couldn’t. So for the first time since he was 17 years old he was in a race to “finish,” to overcome self-doubt, apprehension and good old fashioned fear, to slay the dragon which had eluded him. For those of us who ride—maybe even race a bit—we understand, so go behind the scenes and listen to David in his own words and learn just how he came to be there, at that moment and how he found the strength within to see the race to its end.

Images: Gruber Images and Steve Smith