![Bradley Wiggins](https://www.veloveritas.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/28/what-are-the-odds/Wiggins_Sky_Launch.jpg)
I hope you all had a good Xmas; Viktor didn’t – but that shouldn’t surprise us. It’s not going to help here, us talking about Brad Wiggins and Dave Millar.
He did make a good point though – namely that Sky are well behind with their training camps; all of the big squadra have had one, if not two camps already.
![Dave Millar](https://i0.wp.com/www.veloveritas.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/28/what-are-the-odds/Cycling_Weekly_171209.jpg?fit=300%2C416)
From a fitness and bonding point of view the digital vision guys are behind the eight ball already; it’ll be interesting to see if that makes a difference come flag dropping time.
It’s easy to ‘have a go’ at what folks write and I know I’m guilty of it, but sometimes I read things that jar so much that I can’t let them go without comment.
Cycling Weekly described Brad’s rise to the ‘top’ as ‘meteoric.’
There are two points to address here; he’s been a pro for eight full seasons and he’s not at the top.
Knocking on the door, yes; but with no major wins on the road. Let’s save the hyperbole until he’s actually on the Tour podium – or even wins a stage.
Cast your mind back to the heady days of ’84; the Tour seemed Robert Millar’s for the taking – but it was never to be.
Talking of le Tour, we decided to consult an expert on Bradley’s chances for 2010 – did we talk to Barry Hoban? Scott Sunderland? Jimmy Rutherford? – nah!
Big Pete, the bookie from Leslie.
Alberto Contador is at 6 to 4 ‘on’ – if you’re not a betting person, that means if you place a £60 bet on Alberto Contador, you’ll get £100 back if he wins; your £60 stake plus £40.
But put your £60 on Brad and, if the big man wins, they’ll slide £1,260 across the counter, that’s your £60 stake plus 20 times that; Brad is at 20 to 1.
![Norrie, back in the day.](https://www.veloveritas.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2007/01/25/norrie-drummond-a-hard-man-in-belgium/norrie-drummond-1.jpg)
For us, it’s just ‘bragging rights’ (as Pez would say) about getting the results correct; “well, I did say that, back in December!” But for Pete, it’s his living, if the bookies actually thought Brad could win, he wouldn’t be at 20/1.
And whilst I’m on the subject of turf accountants, my Norrie Drummond calendar arrived, this week.
Picturesque views of Scotland? Scantily clad ladies? Chucklesome cartoons?
None of the above; simply a list of every horse race meeting in the UK for 2010, a calendar for the pros, the hard core – respect, Norrie, and thanks.
I see “The Hall of Fame” is upon us; there’s always going to be controversial choices. It’s hard to condemn riders who were ‘kitting’ in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s – if you didn’t, then you didn’t win.
And we’ve all got a bit of the monkey in us when it comes to wheeling and dealing; but there’s at least one man on that list who could flit through the tree tops with the best of them – no names, no pack drill! But why isn’t Arthur Daley nominated?
Dave Millar: And there’s ‘just one more t’ing, sir!’
David Millar; a different man could have blagged his way out of the EPO wrap; “I’ve never seen that vial before in my life, some idiot must have planted it there!”
![Dave Millar](https://www.veloveritas.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/28/what-are-the-odds/dave_millar.jpg)
But no, he ‘fessed up’ and has accepted responsibility for his actions.
He’s candid about what he did, he’s paid the price, and on his day he rides with a panache that makes you feel proud of our sport – I’ll be rooting for you at Delhi, boy!