Road race champion Mark Cavendish says he feels David Millar should be given the chance to take his place on the start line at next year's Olympics.
Millar was banned after admitting taking EPO, and is one of a number of athletes who are waiting to hear the outcome of the British Olympic Association's battle with the World Anti-Doping Agency over lifetime Olympic bans for drug cheats.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport is set to rule on whether the BOA can uphold its bylaw which maintains lifetime Olympic bans for drug cheats. If the bylaw is overturned, Millar along with several other athletes including sprinter Dwain Chambers will be free to compete in London.
Millar was instrumental in Cavendish’s world title win earlier in the year and now the champion, who is likely to begin the men’s road race as the favourite, wants his team-mate to ride alongside him.
"Dave is redeemed," Cavendish said to The Times. "He's on the athletes' committee with WADA. How many other athletes have done that? That shows how big he is on the side of anti-doping.
"It's not for me to sit in judgment on the [BOA] ruling. That's for other people. I've just talked to Dave a lot about his past, not just the drugs. He's very honest and open. As a professional rider and as a good friend, I would like Dave to be on the start line of the Olympics.
"As road captain at the World Championship, Dave made a massive difference to us. He's so good at bike racing. He had a great leadership role at the World Championships. It would be great to see him at the Olympics."
