British cyclist Christopher Froome was arguably the favorite to win entering the event. Tom Dumoulin, of the Netherlands, competes in the men’s road cycling individual time trial at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2016.
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It was an emotional victory for Cancellara; the three-time victor of both the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix is riding in the final season of his storied 16-year career.
Swiss Fabian Cancellara rode off into a golden retirement with a second Olympic time trial title after a masterful ride that eclipsed Tour de France champion Chris Froome Wednesday. “I’m happy, proud, just fantastic”.
Froome was trying to follow in the footsteps of compatriot Bradley Wiggins, who won the Tour in 2012 before capturing time trial gold at the London Games.
Froome reckons Cancellara’s success was a result of digging deep for one last time. He announced more than a year ago that this would be his final season as a cyclist.
“I’ve got no regrets today; I gave it everything I had”.
Though Rohan Dennis moved in front by the second check, at 19.7km, the Swiss came back to lead the Australian rider by nearly 18 seconds at the end of the next sector, at 34.6km.
Dennis then had mechanical problems and had to change bikes dropping him behind Dumoulin and Froome at the 44.4km checkpoint.
However, Cancellara, who also won the event in 2008 in Beijing and is nicknamed Spartacus, stormed to a farewell gold by 47 seconds over Dumoulin.
But time trial specialist Cancellara, racing in his final season, had other ideas.
The grim weather – which forced the cancellation of the day´s rowing regatta and delayed the start of the tennis – proved no obstacle for Armstrong as she completed the challenging road course in 44min 26.42sec.
“But I want more than this (from life)”.
He painfully tried to defend his time trial gold days later but finished seventh. It means so much to me.
Dumoulin and Froome were considered the favorites heading into the race, and the Dutchman didn’t look bothered by his ailing hand. “To come here and medal again at the Olympics is an incredible feeling”.
“I know I should be and I know I will be after tomorrow, but at the moment I can’t control my feelings”.
As for Froome, the last two months appeared finally to catch up to the British star.
Team Sky team-mate Geraint Thomas, a late addition to the time trial following a number of road race injury withdrawals, finished a creditable 9th while accepting that he was never close to his best after crashing on Saturday.
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“I have the motivation, I have the determination, ” he said. So I’m happy for him. When you’ve already been two times at the pinnacle of the sport, why risk coming back for the gold medal?
