Olympic Time Trial Thread

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Here is a thread to discuss the upcoming Olympic Time Trial

I predict a win for Cancellara. Although Wiggins must be a favourite for this after his Tour performance

[LastDamnation]

Either Cancellara or Martin, they'll be fresher than Wiggins imo. Can't envisage anyone else contending

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

I don't agree with Martin. He was injured during the Tour, and looked in terrible shape when he was there

[LastDamnation]

It's true, it will depend on how much he recovers. If he doesn't then could a be a good battle for 3rd (assuming cancellara and wiggins ahead of the rest), perhaps Phinney will get that?

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Well Luis Leon Sanchez looked in good shape in that last Tour Time Trial. Phinney is a good shout. Think it is a very close thing, just be who performs best on the day

[dummy_half]

Not so convinced about Cancellara's form either - he was coming back from injury (broken collar bone at Tour of Flanders), and was clearly not back to full fitness by the first TdF long time trial (he had the speed to win the prologue but not the endurance to win the long ITT). How he goes at the Olympics will depend on how well he's trained on in the last couple of weeks - I think in his circumstances, riding the Tour for another week would have been beneficial in building the speed endurance he needs.

Obviously, Wiggins has to be one of the medal favourites, although there are the twin questions of recovery after the TdF and motivation after his win (i.e. whether he can hold off celebrating for the next week, and get enough training in with the increased media attention on him).

Outside of those two, Froome has a chance of medalling as well - again, there's the question of recovery, but less media pressure. I agree about Tony Martin - didn't look even close to his best, and has presumably been off the bike for a couple of weeks to let his wrist heal. The other German (Bert Grabsch) could be a medal threat - he's one of those riders who is a bit inconsistent but on his good days can really produce a high class ride. Otherwise, you are probably looking at guys like Boom, Phinney, Hesjedal (if fit) and Rogers as the outside contenders.

[Imperial Ghosty]

Can't look any further than Wiggins for a comfortable victory, he's unbeaten in time trials over 10km this year and looked in imperious form on saturday even after 3000km of previous riding.

[dummy_half]

Bumped up

Amistead and Pooley currently going in the women's ITT - I'd say both are outside chances of medals (the course is much too flat for Pooley to use her climbing skills).

Men going later this afternoon. It will be interesting to see if Wiggins has recovered from his efforts of Saturday - while it may have been in vain, you certainly couldn't accuse him of shirking responsibility or saving himself for this race. Probably is the favourite, given Cancellara's fall in the RR and Martin's lack of form recently (returning from injury). Outside chance for Froome and Millar to challenge for the medals too.

[Big]

Frustratingly the work network won't let me watch anything through the BBC site (for some reason ITVplayer was okay) so I'm relying on the text updates for this. It seems that perhaps Tony Martin had just not hit his peak before now, both he (and less surprisingly) Cancellara doing very well so far. Prior to Saturday's crash Cancellara was very much my favourite for this course, will have to see how his legs hold out (and mind if he is in a lot of pain).

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

WIGGINS LEGEND
FROOME LEGEND

[Big]

Ditto to that! I really feel for Cancellara though, given the pain he is obviously in that was a super effort.

[VTR]

Wiggins - there are no words left! Very good from Froome as well, fantastic day for British Cycling yet again.

Got to mention Sanchez as well, terrible luck today!

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