David Millar was denied a repeat of his 2000 Tour de France glories when hischain came off in today's prologue at the Tour de France in Paris. The Scotsman, who took the cycling world by surprise by winning the prologue on his Tour debut three years ago, was strongly tipped to do the same again as the race celebrated its 100th anniversary.
But, as in 2001 when he fell on the same stage, misfortune again interfered as his chain came loose after he had started in a fashion that suggested he was more than able to better winner Bradley McGee, who will wear the yellow jersey when the race proper begins tomorrow.
Millar reached the halfway point five seconds ahead of McGee but had to settle for second place, 0.08secs behind the Australian FDJeux.com rider after righting the problem in transit. However, the Cofidis rider's misfortune should not take away from the achievement of McGee, who won Commonwealth gold on the track in Manchester last year.
Defending champion Lance Armstrong, seeking an historic fifth consecutive Tour win, also had a disappointing day and had to settle for seventh place.
Filed by Brendan Cole
