Robert Millar blog: Winning in the Circle of Death

On Saturday, stage 8 of the Tour de France brings the peloton from Pau to Luchon, by way of the Col du Tourmalet, Hourquette d’Ancizan, Col de Val Louron-Azet and the Col Peyresourde. In 1983, the Tour also made the trek from Pau into the heart of the Pyrenees at Luchon, but by way of the so-called ‘Circle of Death,’ with the riders facing the classic combination of the Aubisque, Tourmalet, Aspin and Peyresourde before the plunge to the finish. The stage saw Robert Millar solo to his first professional victory, and this is the Scot's account.

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Robert Millar was one of the last pure climbers of the Tour de France, winning several stages in the mountain stages and finishing fourth overall in 1984. He is also the only English speaker to have ever won the prestigious polka-dot jersey climber's competition jersey.

Millar retired in 1995 but has continued to follow the sport closely. He was often critical of the media and quickly cuts through the excuses and spin to understand why and how riders win and lose.