Olympic Time Trial Favourites

With the Men’s Olympic Time Trial coming up in a couple of weeks, on Wednesday 1^st August at Hampton Court Palace, I thought this would be a good time to make a generic blog post regarding who I see as the favourites to take the medals in this event. I am aware that not all of these riders will actually race the time trial, for whatever reason, be it selection, injury, or the rider in question concentrating solely on the road race 4 days earlier.

The Three Medal Favourites

Fabian Cancellara (SUI) – Spartacus needs no introduction. The man is a machine. 4 World Time Trial Championships speaks for itself. Also the reigning Olympic Time Trial champion, Cancellara has the benefit of being in great form at present, evident in his Prologue victory in this year’s Tour de France. This success was backed up by his second place at Seraing on Stage One, and his third place behind Wiggins and Froome in the Stage 9 time trial. If I had to nail my colours to the mast, my bet for victory on August 1^st would have to go the way of this Swiss aero-weapon.*

Tony Martin (GER) – Tony Martin is nicknamed ‘Der Panzerwagen’. Literally meaning ‘The Tank.’ This is most definitely a fair summary. Martin has awesome power against the clock, and was documented in the Dauphine time trial to be pushing a gear ratio of 56x11. Martin’s 2011 Time Trialling Palmares was nothing short of incredible, winning 8 individual time trials en route to stealing Cancellara’s crown of World Time Trial Champion in Copenhagen. Unfortunately for fans of the German, by his own high standards, Martin has so far endured a poor 2012, winning just one time trial; Stage 4 of the Tour of Belgium. Luck has not been on Martin’s side either; being hit by a car whilst out training in April, and abandoning the Tour through injury after suffering punctures in both the Prologue and the Stage 9 long time trial. Martin could yet salvage his season by winning the Olympics Time Trial. For sure, ‘Der Panzerwagen’ will be at the sharp end on August 1^st.

Bradley Wiggins (GBR) – Where to start with Wiggins? ‘Wiggo’ is quite clearly in the road form of his life. At the time of writing, he tops the GC of the Tour by 2 minutes and 5 seconds, a fairly direct result of his Stage 9 Time Trial victory at Besançon, and his massive engine. Coupled to this, he took second place behind Cancellara in the Tour Prologue, whilst he also won the Criterium du Dauphine time trial back in June. Wiggins’ pedigree against the clock is staggering; a second place in the 2011 World Time Trial Championships, numerous time trial victories throughout his career and undisputable pursuiting credentials on the track.

Outsiders

Sylvain Chavanel (FRA) – I must admit I was always doubtful of Chavanel’s ability against the clock for some reason. In 2012 he has shown up my scepticism with a series of fantastic performances.

Gustav Larsson (SWE) – Larsson has had a quiet 2012 against the clock, but the Vacansoleil rider’s track record indicates that he has a good chance of medalling in London. A Giro stage winner, the Swede came second in the 2008 Olympic time trial.

Bert Grabsch (GER) – The King of slow cadence, Grabsch is identifiable by his unique style. A 4-time German time-trial champion, the rouleur was World Champion in 2008.

Michael Rogers (AUS) – A 3-time World Time Trial Champion, the 32 year old Australian’s power against the clock appeared to be waning, with injury and illness setting him back in 2010 and 2011. Rogers showed a timely return to form with a 3^rd place behind Martin and Wiggins at the Dauphine time trial in June.

Chris Froome (GBR) - On his day a magnificent time triallist who can point to placing second in long time trials at the Vuelta and the Tour. In great shape at present.

David Zabriskie (USA) – Zabriskie is a prolific winner of time trials, including Stage 5 in this year’s Tour of California.

Luis-Leon Sanchez (ESP) – A four-time national time trial champion, Sanchez usually flatters to deceive when time trialling in the grand tours or World Championships. Olympic victory could change this precedent.

Richie Porte (AUS) – The diminutive Australian has 4^th and 6^th placed finishes in the World Time Trial Championships to his name, rendering him a definite medal contender.

Cadel Evans (AUS) – Won the 2011 Tour de France on the strength of his time trialling. Enough said.

*It was mentioned to me in a forum at road.cc that August 1^st  is Swiss National Day...

Amendment: Froome and Wiggins have already been selected as Britain's two riders, hence the removal of David Millar from this article as he was originally listed as an Outsider.