JOHN LEE AUGUSTYN

Date of birth: 10 August 1986
Beijing event: Road race (August 9)
Previous Olympics: None
Bike: Bianchi 928 Carbon
To me, the Olympic Games is one of the greatest sporting events there is and it’s a huge privilege to be selected to race for my country there. Like most pro cyclists, if I had a choice between the Tour de France and the Olympics, I’d take the Tour. But to be able to both for the first time in the same year is simply amazing and a real honour.
In Beijing, I reckon I’ll be in with a chance of staying with the strong climbers if I’ve recovered sufficiently after the Tour de France. I’ve been racing with most the Olympic Game’s favourites this year so know their strengths and weaknesses, which will help for sure.
The Olympic course is quite tough. There is lots of climbing which suits me. If I’m feeling good on the day, I hope to try and do something special.
The favourite for the gold medal must be Cadel Evans (AUS). He’s stated the Olympic gold medal is one of his two goals for this year (the other being the Tour de France). Paulo Bettini (ITA), if he can conquer the climbs, will also be a certain contender.
Bicycling’s comments: It will be Augustyn’s first Games, but the third Olympics for Hunter and George, two of the country’s most experienced cyclists in terms of international competition. Following a test event on the course in 2007 over a shorter distance, the Beijing road race course has been compared by the likes of Tour de France podium finisher, Cadel Evans, to a mountain stage of the Tour de France, favoring climbers over sprinters. Both Augustyn and George are noted climbers and expected to fare well on the 245.4km course, which is being called the toughest road race course in Olympic history.

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