Cycling: Hoy backs Millar inclusion as Olympic cycling squad named

SIR Chris Hoy insists he will give David Millar his total backing for the Olympics but still believes there should be tougher sanctions for doping offences.

Millar has been selected for the initial eight-man squad for the men’s road race – he became eligible last month after the British Olympic Association was forced to drop its lifetime ban for doping offenders. The 35-year-old was banned for two years in 2004 after admitting to taking the blood-boosting agent EPO, since when he was become a leading campaigner against drugs.

Four-times gold medallist Hoy had supported the lifetime ban, but when asked about Millar’s inclusion today stressed his backing.

Hoy said: “I will 100 per cent be standing behind whoever is part of the team. For me it’s been about the future and having a meaningful deterrent against people thinking about taking drugs.”

Millar’s actual participation in the London Games has yet to be guaranteed – the eight-man squad will be reduced to a five-man team by June 29.

Squad:

Track Sprint: Philip Hindes, Sir Chris Hoy, Jason Kenny, Victoria Pendleton, Jessica Varnish.

Endurance: Steven Burke, Ed Clancy, Peter Kennaugh, Andy Tennant, Geraint Thomas, Wendy Houvenaghel, Dani King, Laura Trott, Joanna Rowsell.

Road Men (five to be selected): Mark Cavendish, Steven Cummings, Chris Froome, Jeremy Hunt, David Millar, Ian Stannard, Ben Swift, Bradley Wiggins.

Women (four to be selected): Lizzie Armitstead, Nicole Cooke, Katie Colclough, Sharon Laws, Lucy Martin, Emma Pooley.

BMX

Liam Phillips, Shanaze Reade

Mountain Bike

Liam Killeen, Annie Last