Top Team Ready To Make A Splash In Beijing - Cycling
The Age
Monday July 28, 2008
Our Australian heroes are going for gold as the greatest show on Earth is poised to begin.
HIGH expectation surrounds the Australian Olympic cycling team following its huge success four years ago in Athens. Australia won a total of 49 medals in Athens, 17 of them gold. Australian cyclists claimed 10, and six of them were gold.The mood in the camp this time around is cautious, and probably wisely so. Great Britain dominated the track world championships earlier this year and Australia can't claim a single reigning world champion in an Olympic event.Still, there will be more than one gold medal ripe for an Australian cyclist's picking in August. None more so than on day one of Olympic competition when Cadel Evans, just under a fortnight after his Tour de France, will lead an outstanding men's road team.Evans will be supported by Stuart O'Grady, riding in his fifth Olympics, Michael Rogers, Simon Gerrans and Matthew Lloyd, this year's national road champion and Evans' Silence-Lotto teammate.His condition permitting, Evans is expected to ride for gold in the time-trial, too.Sara Carrigan, who won gold in the road race four years ago, will head up a women's team that is also capable of medalling.On the track, two women, 2004 gold medallist Anna Meares (below) and silver medallist Katie Mactier, shape as strong shots at winning gold in the sprint and individual pursuit, respectively. Meares' story is remarkable after she received a potentially crippling neck injury early this year only to ride a world-class time, just shy of her personal-best, in a flying 200- metre sprint in June.Ryan Bayley - a dual gold medallist in Athens - is a chance to medal in the individual sprint, coming up against his great rival, Dutchman Theo Boss. -- SAMANTHA LANE
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