Millar wants to help young riders after scandal

LONDON, July 27 (Reuters) -- Briton David Millar, who recently admitted taking the banned drug EPO, is hoping he gets no more than a one-year ban so that he can make a comeback and help prevent other riders falling into cycling's doping trap.

"I have made mistakes and I am ready to learn from them. I would like to explain the dangers of drugs to young riders," Millar told the Guardian newspaper on Tuesday.

"I want to show how I got round the system and I'm willing to work with the International Cycling Union (UCI) and (the) British Cycling (Federation). I think it's the one thing I can do.

"I am someone who can give reasons why cyclists should not take drugs. If they ask me to help I will always be there for that."

Millar, 27, was questioned by French police on June 23 and 24 as part of a detailed investigation into doping in the Cofidis team.

After two days he admitted taking the endurance booster EPO (erythropoietin) in 2001 and 2003, including before he won the world time trial title in Canada last October.

The UCI has already indicated he will be stripped of his title after confessing to doping. Millar must appear before a disciplinary hearing in Britain next Wednesday and faces a minimum suspension of two years.

Millar, who was sacked by Cofidis last week, said there were dozens of reasons why he used EPO, with the pressure building over the years.

This was due, he said, to his own psychological weaknesses, pressure from his team mates and pressure from Cofidis to get results even when he was injured and over-raced.

Millar added that several riders had offered him support in recent weeks including American Lance Armstrong, who on Sunday won the Tour de France for a record sixth time.

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