CYCLING -ROAD: Simon Clarke is set to make his Olympic debut after he was confirmed today as the road race replacement for Simon Gerrans for the Rio 2016 Games.
Clarke will line up alongside Richie Porte, Rohan Dennis and a fourth rider that is still to be chosen from the cycling discipline on what is a varied and challenging Rio course.
Gerrans was forced to pull out of his third Olympic Games after he suffered a broken clavicle following a high speed fall at the Tour de France paving the way for Clarke’s call-up.
"Once again selections have not been easy given the high level of abilities across our reserve list,” said road cycling head coach and four-time Olympian Brad McGee.
“In calling up Simon to replace Gerrans we look forward to utilising his previous experience and race craft abilities that were highly considered in the first round of selections.
“He has firsthand knowledge of the course and presents himself fit and ready to go.
“We have no doubt he will combine very well with the team and this will be essential on such a demanding parkour."
The 30-year-old from Melbourne recently competed in the Tour of Poland World Tour stage race event where he claimed 25th and has been a regular on the Grand Tour circuit in recent years.
Having started his career on the track, Clarke has claimed an individual stage win at the Vuelta a Espana and was a part of team time trial stage wins at both the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia.
He showed his climbing ability when he took out the Mountains Classification of the 2012 Vuelta a Espana and finished 10th at last year’s Rio test event.
Clarke will compete at the UCI World Tour one day Clasica’ San Sebastian event on July 30 before flying out to Rio to meet up with his road race compatriots.
Beginning and ending at the iconic Copacabana beach, the four-strong Aussie team will have to contend with steep climbs and cobblestones on the 256.4km men’s road race course that will be contested on the opening day of the Rio 2016 Olympics Games (August 6).
If our Aussie men are to ride onto the podium in Rio they will join Clyde Sefton (1972 – road race silver) and Michael Rogers (2004 – time trial bronze) as Australian Olympic road medallists.
Matt Bartolo
olympics.com.au
