Millar, whose ban was imposed after he confessed to doping in June 2004, will probably compete in the elite men’s time-trial event, which takes place in Salzburg on September 21. Depending on his results in the forthcoming Tour of Spain, Millar may also be selected for the elite men’s road race on September 24.

“He has been approved for selection by British Cycling and its disciplinary panel. As far as the selection panel is concerned, Millar is eligible,” David Brailsford, the Team GB manager, said. “The last thing I want to do is send a message out that doping is accepted, but equally, the way things stand with the regulations he is eligible for selection.”

Brailsford is the key figure on a selection panel that will make its final decision public on September 1. “We take into account recent results, world rankings, ability to play a team role and so on,” he said. “Millar’s selection was discussed at a preliminary meeting and the panel was favourable to his inclusion.”

Millar’s probable inclusion in the men’s time-trial reflects the dearth of quality riders for that discipline. “In time-trials, there are few other riders and in road racing he is among the best suited,” Brailsford said. “In track racing we have greater depth of talent, so we have other selection options.”

But in an echo of the bad feeling that caused the recent split between Dwain Chambers and Darren Campbell in the Britain 4 x 100 metres relay team, one of Millar’s fiercest critics comes from within his national squad.

Nicole Cooke, the recent winner of the women’s Tour de France, has been one of the most vociferous opponents of doping in cycling and criticised Millar at the time of his arrest and subsequent confession in 2004.

“If someone is found positive they should not be able to compete in any Olympics or World Championships,” Cooke said. “There shouldn’t be any messing around. It should be a life ban for a first offence. Only by having this deterrent will you make the cheats think twice. Drugs cheats need to be driven from sport. I don’t believe in second chances for the transgressors.”

But Brailsford refused to be drawn into speculation over the reaction of other athletes in Team GB to Millar’s selection. “Some will like it, some won’t,” Brailsford said. “If they have issues, they can come and speak to me or talk to David.”

Brailsford added that Millar has been visited by out-of-competition testers from UK Sport at his home and has also been tested by British Cycling four or five times since June.

“His attitude to life has changed dramatically and I think he’s learnt his lesson,” Brailsford said. “I run a 100 per cent clean programme and I think that, despite all the hurt at the moment, more people will take an ethical stance. The culture of doping will be broken. Choosing Dave is not the greatest message, but the current regulations allow us to do that.”

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