Robert Millar - 1985 and The Stolen Vuelta

1985 and The Stolen Vuelta

In 1985, Millar came sixth once more in the early season Paris–Nice with Kelly again winning in his run of seven successive victories in the event.

In 1985 the Vuelta a España was still held in its April - May slot as the first of the three grand tours of the season. Millar took over the race lead on stage 10, a stage won by Kelly. Millar held the lead going into what has become one of the most infamous days' racing in the history of the event. Millar started the day 10 seconds ahead of Colombian Francisco 'Pacho' Rodriguez with Spain's Pello Ruiz Cabestany 65 seconds further behind in third. With the following days last stage of the race little more than ceremonial, Millar said to the press, "I just have to stick to Pacho Rodríguez's wheel and it's done." A mountainous stage with three major climbs, Rodriguez tried but was unable to make any in roads on Millar on the first climb of the day, the Morcuera. At the foot of the second climb, the Cotos, Millar punctured meaning once the puncture had been tackled Millar had to chase to get back to Rodrigues and Cabestany. By the time riders reached the third climb, Los Leones, Millar had not only reached the men he perceived as his main rivals but was also taking their congratulations indicating their submission in their attempts to overhaul Millar and presenting the race over as a contest.

Millar however was unaware that Delgado, in the mountains around his Segovia home town that he knew like the back of his hand, had launched an attack. None of the riders in Millar's group made him aware of the attack by Delgado - an elite specialist climber like Millar and in this case with the knowledge of the roads allowing him to descend aggressively. Delgado had support in his break from a second rider, Jose Recio. Delgado had started the day in sixth place and 6 minutes behind Millar. Working with Recio, Delgado was now nearly 7 minutes ahead of Millar on the road. Millar had none of his team mates in his group with Rodrigues and Cabestany as his colleagues had been unable to keep up. Recio won the stage and Delgado took overall lead of the race by 36 seconds. With the race now referred to as, "The Stolen Vuelta', from the collusion among the Spanish speaking riders, Millar finished second overall. Peugeot directeur sportif, Roland Berland, said, "It's rotten, the whole peloton was against us. It seems a Spaniard had to win at all costs." L'Équipe's Philip Bouvet stated, Millar was "the victim of a formidable Spanish coalition". Millar said afterwards, "I'll never return to Spain". In the television documentary on Millar, "The High Life", Millar criticised Berland for his handling of the situation on the road when Delgado attacked. Berland had been unable to negotiate support from other non Spanish speaking teams during the stage to give Millar the required support to chase down Delgado's lead.

In the Tour de France Millar finished 11th.

In September Millar was overall winner of the Volta a Catalunya taking the leader's jersey on the penultimate stage, a 22 km individual time trial at Tortosa. The stage was won by Jose Recio, an earlier leader of the race. Millar beat the previous overall winner into second place by 3 seconds, Sean Kelly.

In the Giro del Piemonte he finished third behind Charly Mottet. In the Tour du Haut Var, Millar ended seventh with Mottet also the victor. Millar was fourth in the Grand Prix de Wallonie (Marc Madiot won). Millar was sixth in two races won by Stephen Roche, the Route du Sud (named the Tour Midi-Pyrenees at the time) and the Critérium International. In the Dauphine, Millar placed ninth behind a winning Phil Anderson.