Millar Mind Made up for London

David Millar, the cyclist who had his lifetime Olympic drug ban lifted in April, has told Team GB selectors that he is "available" for selection and is now looking forward to London 2012.

Initially the Scot, banned in 2004 for two years after admitting taking banned performance-enhancers and for life at the Olympics by the British Olympic Association, was worried that he would be a pariah and hinted that he would not take part in the Games, if selected.

But now the 35 year-old two-time World Championship time trial silver medallist, has changed his tune and declared that it would be an honour to represent Team GB, following the Court of Arbitration for Sport's decision to deem the BOA's life ban bylaw unlawful.

It is now very likely Millar will be named in Team GB's cycling squad following his about-turn, as British Cycling will want the best possible chance of putting Mark Cavendish on top of the podium.

“I’m available,” Millar was quoted as saying (£) in The Times. “I spent a lot of time thinking about it, but I’ve concluded that if I can be of benefit to the team, I would be happy to help.

“The most rational thing is to leave it to the selectors to decide. If they think that including me might be in any way detrimental, even if, physically, I could be one of the strongest riders, I will respect any decision they make. But I think I can genuinely help in the road race, and that’s helping Mark.

“I have spent time fighting the idea of lifetime bans for a first offence and it gets confusing if I don’t make myself available."

Days before his ban was overturned, on April 29, Millar had dismissed ideas of racing at the Games and said: "I am quite happy looking forward to 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games. That will be a much more joyful experience than me going to the Olympics as a black sheep.

"Even if it was to all go through now, and I was to go, I don't know if it would be a very joyful experience for me.

"Is it a stronger message if I don't go, is it a stronger message if I do go and perhaps try to change people's opinion that forgiveness should be offered?

"I've nailed myself to a few crosses and I'm not sure if I'm prepared to go for the final big one on this."

But now Millar has said that if British Cycling are willing to hand him the chance to ride he would give his all for Great Britain, and hopes to be on the start line on July 28 alongside Cavendish – as he was when the Manxman won the World Championships last year in Copenhagen, when Millar was captain.

British Cycling selectors are due to meet next week to decide on their road and track squad for the Games, and the provisionally team will be announced on June 11.

Millar, now a fervent anti-drugs campaigner, must prove his form if he wishes to be confirmed as one of five road racers, which will be rubber-stamped on July 8 – the date when the BOA must submitted their completed squad.

Millar, who suffered a broken collarbone in March while racing in Belgium, will race this weekend at the Critérium du Dauphiné, and he said: “I had a few weeks out but I’m just coming in to my stride.”