BBC SPORT | Special Events | 2000 | Tour de France | Yates: Millar has sights on white

When David Millar took the yellow jersey in the prologue of his debut Tour de France, he became only the fourth British rider to wear yellow.

Sean Yates, the manager of Britain's Linda McCartney Foods Cycling Team, is another member of that illustrious quartet and he now gives BBC Sport Online his opinion of the young Scot.

David Millar's prologue win was a truly fantastic start - without question a major surprise.

Before the Tour I thought he had a reasonable chance of making the top 10 in the opening time trial.

Sean Yates
Yellow jersey was highpoint of Yates' career
He had a big reputation and it was clear that his Cofidis team had a lot of faith in his ability as they signed him to a lucrative four-year contract.

But as everyone raises their game in the Tour, I thought the more experienced riders would be just too quick for him. I was just not sure he could do it.

Happy sponsors

But after that incredible performance he has paid back the team's faith and money.

Cofidis have been hurting this year, but Millar's ride put them in the spotlight, which is great for the sponsors.

Getting a team-mate into yellow lifts the whole team, it makes everyone happy as they all get a slice of the pie.

David Millar
Millar: Spent four days in yellow
I was also impressed by his performance in the Pyrennees on Monday. He proved he could climb.

I saw him interviewed on TV after the race and he said he was shattered - he certainly looked it.

But he obviously recovered very well as Tuesday's stage is not easy - with those little up-and-down hills and cross-winds - and it was good to see him ride so aggressively.

He wants that white jersey (for the best rider under 25), and he has a very good chance of winning it.