MILLAR CRASH MAY DELAY SEASON START

A crash whilst training could well delay David Millar?s start to the season, team sources have told CW. The Saunier Duval pro was training on January 2nd in Gerona, Spain when he collided with another rider and came off his bike, hurting one of his hips.

?He couldn?t train for a week.? directeur sportif Sabino Angoitia said. ?Things are getting back on course now, he?s getting over it fine but as a result  of this delay David now won?t be riding the Tour of Qatar as his first race of 2007.?

Early season injuries and illnesses are not new for Saunier Duval. Last year they had such a bad start  their first win of the 2006 was in April -  Jose Angel Gomez Marchante took the last stage and the overall of the Tour of the Basque Country.

A season start in the Tour of Mallorca in early February has now been pencilled in for Millar instead - and more calendar changes are now in store for the Scot. Saunier Duval-Prodir are no longer riding the Tour of California in mid-February. California had been one of the Briton?s early season objectives.

?The team may now ride the Tour of the Algarve in Portugal instead.? Angoitia said. ?But we don?t know yet for sure.?

Saunier Duval are currently holding their first big training camp of the season, in the Spanish coastal resort of Estepona. Their team presentation for 2007 will be held on Thursday January 18th.