Mens Road Race Start List in Beijing....

Other than to say a climber will almost certainly win this one it's really hard to call.

Italy, Spain, Russia and USA have the strongest teams I think, which as we saw in the TdF this year could make all the difference.

I'm going to pick a Spanish rider because they have three in their squad who are capable of winning (Contador, Sastre & Valverde).  Of these riders I think Valverde has the best chance so I guess I'll pick him.

The first section is a flat 80km but once they start the 24km circuit, of which they do 8 laps, there is 520m of climbing per lap and each climb is about 10km long.

Apparently this course is said to be the toughest ever Olympic road race course.

Gusev got dumped by Russia after his iffy in-team test got him booted from Astana.

Money's on Valverde, Bettini or perhaps Van De Velde in my book.  Maybe even Jens Voight or Schumacher in the medal mix.  These races always favor the classics riders.  And the US team will be trying to make a move with no doubt.  That's why I put VDV in the mix.  Strong team and he is coming off of great form from the Tour.  Only worry is that he dug too deep in the Tour and won't have much left.

For the TT I don't think Cancellara is going to let anyone beat him.  But look out for Zabriskie to give his old teammate a run for the gold!

Im thinking this is made for someone like Valverde to win, Id like to see Stuart O'Grady up there as he is a great one day racer and Cadel has stated he is going as a support rider...

From some of the other countries... would be awesome to see someone like Kim Kirchen (with the support of the Schlecks) have a go, stage winner from the TDF Kurt Arle Arvesen or even Efimkin or Karpets from the Russian team have a go.

On paper I think the strongest team has to be the Spanish with Contador, Sastre, Valverde, Sanchez and Freire all having great seasons... so hard to pick!!!!

Umm but any country with a full team of 5 riders must be in a stronger position...

Cycling news also has a great schedule of all the coverage and will be providing live coverage for the road racing: http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/olympics08/?id=stages

I did search for awhile... seriously!

The original course proposed by the Chinese was a completely flat loop... theyve had a HUGE lesson in what cycling courses look like at this level in the last few years as cycling is such an unknown sport to them for the most part.... a main mean s of transport but definatley not as a sporting pursuit...

They had to spend some time showing them examples of courses from around the world and how the event can be used to showcase a mixture of monuments (such as Tianamen Square and the Great Wall which the cyclists will pass on this route) and nature.. sounds like a lengthy process but that will hopefully give us a good race! 

Cycling news has some great pics of some of the cyclists already in Beijing too... The german team at McDonalds (maybe thats Schumachers secret weapon? McDs?), the Spanish team out riding around the course etc

4everblue - 2008-08-08 12:08 AM God, I'm having trouble concentrating on this. painkillers have made my head go funny, not that I need them Am I correct in thinking that there was a race on the same course pre-season /over winter? If so who won it?

You are on to it... there was a test event held for both this road race and the Time Trial last year called the 'Good Luck' Beijing Cycling event (or something close to that)

The road event the placings were: 1. Gabriele Bosisio, 2. Alexandr Dyachenko, 3. Vincenzo Nibali, 4. Jacek Marjko, 5. Cadel Evans 

In the time trial the winners were: 1. Cadel Evans, 2. Michael Rogers, 3. A;exandr Dyachenko and 4. Vincenzo Nibalo

1. Alejandro Valverde because I wanted him to win the Tour
2. Oscar Freire because he is such a great cyclist
3. Svein Tuft because ... well, he's Canadian, eh

Yay we are on Beijing time so we get it at 11am here live!  and SBS is showing the entire race!!! so excited.  I'll be done with my run and gym and will be able to watch it with a yummy lunch!

What the heck, these are just plumps. And no Tom to put in the mix, suppose it has something to do with the drug testing.

Paolo Bettini, Oscar Freire & Jens Voigt. 

My 3

MENSHOV Denis 

LEIPHEIMER Levi 

CONTADOR Alberto

All over the board and world...

I'm watching on the Superior Canadian channel CBC.  God bless the Canadians.

I'm wondering what kind of bike the one Chinese rider rides?

Live and online!

What was up with Cadel?

That sounds better than "unidentified physical ailment" that the text commentary said.

Lol - thats funny!!!

Im missing the TDF style info on the screen like distance ridden in the top right hand corner and constant info on the time gaps....