CYCLING: The men’s road race will offer Australia one of its first medal chances of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, with the punishing event to begin in the first hour of competition on day one.

The Australian men’s quartet of Richie Porte, Simon Clarke, Rohan Dennis and Scott Bowden will take to the road at 9.30am on Saturday morning alongside 144 of the world’s best.

On day two, a 67-strong peloton will battle for women’s road gold with Australia represented by Amanda Spratt plus debutants Gracie Elvin, Rachel Neylan and Katrin Garfoot. 

The men’s (237.5km) and women’s (136.9km) road race courses will take in Rio’s most iconic backdrops, beginning in Flamengo Park before taking in the picturesque coastline and the cities of Copacabana, Ipanema, Barra and Reserva Beach.

The scenic stretch will give the riders much reprieve from the two testing circuits located at either end of the course which is set to decide both races.

Tour de France champion Chris Froome (GBR), former Vuelta a Espana winner Alejandro Valverde (ESP), winner of all three Grand Tours Vincenzo Nibali (ITA) and Dan Martin (IRE) are leading contenders in the men’s event.

In the women’s event, all eyes will be on defending gold medallist Marianne Vos (NED), world No.1 ranked cyclist Megan Guarnier (USA) and reigning world champion Lizzie Armitstead (GBR).

On day four of competition, the race against the clock for both men (45 athletes) and women (20 athletes) will use the Grumari Circuit only, and will start and finish at Tim Maia Square.

The women will complete one lap of the 29.86km circuit, while the men will cover it twice to complete a 55.56km course.

While the start lists for the time trial won’t be decided until after the road races have been completed, Australia has qualified two riders in both events with Rohan Dennis and Katrin Garfoot expected to be the leading contenders to fly the green and gold.

Overall, Australia has claimed four Olympic road medals.

Our men will be chasing maiden gold to add to Clyde Sefton’s 1972 road race silver and Michael Rogers’ time trial bronze in 2004. Kathy Watt (1992) and Sara Carrigan (2004) have claimed Australia’s two medals – both gold – on the road.

Road Schedule

Day 1: 6 August

• Men’s Road Race – 09.30am 6 Aug (Rio) / 10.30pm 6 Aug (AEST)

Day 2: 7 August

• Women’s Road Race - 12.15pm 7 Aug (Rio) / 1.15am 8 Aug (AEST)

Day 5: 10 August

• Women’s Time Trial – 08.30am 10 Aug (Rio) / 9.30pm 10 Aug (AEST)

• Men’s Time Trial - 11:00 PM 10 Aug (Local) / 10:00 AM 10 Aug (Rio)

 Amy McCann

olympics.com.au