David Millar's reason for not joining his Garmin-Sharp team mates in parading their new kit at the Meet The Riders Presentation has been revealed.
The Scotsman has been suffering an illness and his team asked him to sit out the presentation in favour of getting some rest and recuperation in the hope that he will have recovered in time for the prologue in Liège on Saturday.
Garmin-Sharp ‘directeur sportif’ Allan Peiper explained that he had been vomiting earlier today and that Heinrich Haussler was ready as a reserve should Millar not be able to take the start. But, after stepping off the stage, his team-mate Robert Hunter was optimistic about the chance of the time trial specialist starting. “He was bad but I saw him before coming to the presentation and he seems to be improving,” said the South African champion about Millar.
Team Europcar's Christophe Kern also missed the event. He became a father on Thursday afternoon. He will be back with his team for the Prologue which starts on Saturday.