firstoffthebike.com - Races

Olympic Time Trial Preview - Bring on the burn!

These are the athletes we think are going to be amongst the medals for this race.

• Fabian Cancellara - The motor he showed at the end of the road race to bridge the gap was frightening. He is so strong at the time trial that he would have to go in as the red hot favorite. And he must be just jumping to go too. After having to play the perfect role as a team helper during the Tour Cancellara must now ride for himself. The opportunity of gold after a disappointing 10th in Athens is surely the inspiration he needs to get a win.
• Stefan Schumacher - We all saw how strong he was during the Tour now let's see him do it for Germany. Schumacher is strong and confident after his efforts in July. But has he got anything left in the tank?
• Michael Rogers - Showed his form is great after the men's road race. He is a three time world time trial champion and after missing this year's Tour through illness he must be stoked to back on the world cycling stage.
• Our outsiders include, Levi Leiphheimer, Cadel Evans and Laslo Bodrogi.

In the women's event the following are favorites.

• Nicole Cooke - Fast and determined, Cooke's win in the road race says her form is right. Drawing inspiration for this will not be hard as the Great Britain cycling team is just warming up before they hit the boards later this week.
• Kristin Armstrong - Can time trial very well and has come to Beijing with this in mind. Armstrong is motivated and hungry after missing out on a medal for in the road race.
• Jeannie Longo - Yes she is 49, yes she might not have a hope but you can never write this women of. She was very active during the road race and knows how to get up for big events. She has said that this is one of her goals so look out.

We asked Tour de France commentator Matt Keenan who gave us his tips:

Men

1. Fabian Cancellara
2. Stefan Schumacher
3. Cadel Evans

Women

1. Christiane Soeder (Austria)
2. Nicole Cooke (Great Britain)
3. Hanka Kupfernagel (Germany)

The course is an undulating one so all the riders must bring their climbing legs.