The BOA (British Olympic Association) and British Cycling announced, on 4th July 2012, that the five men who will compete for Team GB in the Road Race on 28th July 2012 (the first day of the London 2012 Olympics) are:
- Mark Cavendish (Age: 27)
- Chris Froome (Age: 27), also picked for the Time Trial (1st August)
- David Millar (Age: 35)
- Ian Stannard (Age: 25)
- Bradley Wiggins (Age: 32), also picked for the Time Trial (1st August)
The 250km Mens Road Race, starts and finished in central
London (on The Mall), whereas the Time Trial (over a 44km course) starts and
finishes at Hampton Court Palace.
Mark Cavendish, BBC Sports Personality of the Year &
reigning World Road Race champion, will be giving it 110% in his quest for gold
at this opening event. He will be ably assisted by Bradley Wiggins, competing
in his fourth Olympic Games, after moving to road racing following a glittering
career in track cycling, where he has already won two gold medals.
David Millar, Chris Froome and Ian Stannard are all taking
part in their first Olympic Games. Millar won the gold medal at the 2010
Commonwealth Games in Delhi, in the Time Trial, representing Scotland.
With the advantage of a massive home crowd expected to line the 250km route, particularly Box Hill and the Start & Finish at The Mall, pundits are suggesting that there will be a “real psychological boost” that will push the Team GB cyclists on to glory.
Team GB Cycling Team Leader Dave Brailsford (Team GB Cycling Team Leader) is reported as saying: “The final selection for the men’s road race was a tough choice as we had a really strong squad of riders to pick from. We have selected the five riders who we believe are on the best form and will give us the fastest team for the race. All the riders selected have a gruelling few weeks coming up, with Ian [Stannard] due to ride in the Tour of Poland and the rest of the lads riding in the Tour de France, so we’ll be keeping an eye on injury and form but for now, I am confident that we have picked the best team for the race.”
Bradley Wiggins also added : “I’m happy to be a part of it, we’ve got a good chance to win the road
race with Cav and it’s a London Olympics which makes it very special. I’ve also
got a chance to go for my fourth gold medal in the time trial.”
Chris Froome, commenting on his selection, said: “It’s a great feeling to be selected, the Olympics is one event I’ve always wanted to go to. The course looks challenging – the laps around Box Hill are going to be hard and will make the race interesting. We’ll be there with Cav to support him and it should be a really good course for us. It’s huge to compete at home – the British support out here at the Tour de France has been amazing and I can only imagine it'll be even bigger at home. If it’s anything like the test event, it will be a big spectacle for the public to come and watch.”
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