DAVID GEORGE

Date of birth: 23 February 1976
Beijing events: Road race (August 9), Individual time trial (August 13)
Previous Olympics: 1996 – 4000m pursuit(14th); 2000 road race (86th)
Bikes: Raleigh RC LTD 2009 prototype
To me, the Olympic Games is special. Sure, there are other big events in cycling that are significant, but I always seem to perform well at a major international championship, like Commonwealth Games and World Champs. I’m always inspired to ride for my country. For me, an Olympic medal is one of the ultimate achievements in sport.
In Beijing, I reckon I’ll be better prepared for the time trial than the road race. Well, put it this way, I can train specifically for the TT using my power meter, but the road race, like any road race, will be tactical and unpredictable.
The Olympic course is a hard one, but as a climber, it’s quite suited to me.
The favourite for the gold medal is really difficult to predict. In the road race, probably Paulo Bettini (ITA), Alejandro Valverde (ESP), Cadel Evans (AUS) and Oscar Freire (ESP). In the time trial, probably Evans.
Bicycling’s comment: David George is the only member of the road squad that will compete in the individual time trial. A former bronze medallist at the Under-23 world champs and the Commonwealth Games, George has the talent and the experience to represent the country in the discipline, which will be 47km in distance and uses the same tough circuit as the road race and which will suit the climber time-triallists like George better than the power time-triallists that usually dominate the event at the Olympics.

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