Robert Millar: Oleg's pink party Giro d'Italia celebrations may be over before they started

Up until Thursday’s stage finish, Oleg Tinkov's Giro d'Italia was going swimmingly. Of course he'd have told you it's not a surprise at all, that it's part of his greater plan. Seeing as the Giro d'Italia is his first love amongst the Grand Tours, it makes me wonder if Tinkov got to sleep in his first maglia rosa after the stage to Abetone. Tinkov’s problem now is that, with Alberto Contador having bounced down the road in Thursday’s finishing straight, the pyjama party celebrations may well be over before they've even got properly started.

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.