Dumoulin took silver, and reigning Tour de France champion Chris Froome, of Great Britain, finished third for bronze.
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Now, it is Froome is trying to pull off the rare double.
Thomas, victor of team pursuit gold on the track at Beijing in 2008 and in London four years ago, said: “I’m really thrilled to get a last minute call up to represent Team GB in the time trial race tomorrow”.
Other favourites include reigning time trial champion Vasil Kiryienka, Nelson Oliveira, Taylor Phinney and Tom Dumoulin, although he is coming off a broken wrist at the Tour.
He added: “It means a lot to participate in sport’s highest event that the world presents and to win the gold medal in my retirement year, I think I’m just super proud”.
Although Froome failed to emulate London gold medallist Sir Bradley Wiggins, he was delighted with the result.
Unlike the women’s race, the men’s offers 40 places to competitors – with crashes and withdrawals for Richie Porte, Vincenzo Nibali and Wout Poels this has seen a reduction to 37 though. He jumped off the bike early during the road race so that he wouldn’t aggravate the injury and has pronounced himself ready to compete.
Froome said: “No regrets – I gave it absolutely everything, I was absolutely dead by the finish. I can’t be disappointed, especially after the season I’ve had”, said Froome.
Unfortunately, Britain’s representative in the women’s time trial, EMMA POOLEY, is the wrong kind of doctor to help Thomas or Froome.
Phinney finished 22nd, five minutes and nine seconds behind Cancellara, while fellow USA rider Brent Bookwalter was 23rd. Her selection to the team was not without some controversy, though, after she eschewed racing internationally to spend more time with her family. Armstrong’s spot was ultimately confirmed.
His third place position in the time trial has been described as a “fantastic achievement” and testament to his commitment to the sport.
“So if you have trouble sleeping, then I can recommend it”.
The 42-year-old stopped the clock in 44:26.42, Russia’s Olga Zabelinskaya took silver in 44:31.97 with Olympic road champion Anna van der Breggen collecting bronze in a time of 44:37.80.
Speaking after his bronze medal win, Steven Scott said: “Both of us put a tremendous amount of effort and hard work in just to get here, let alone to make a final and shoot for a medal. It should be enough time to recover”.
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“I had a McDonald’s with the road boys on Sunday but Usain Bolt has McDonald’s so I thought why not”.
