Rogers Golden Dreams To Be Kept In Check By Leipheimer
by Justin Davis
VARESE, Italy, Sept 24, 2008 (AFP) – Australia’s Michael Rogers is rightly
hoping the time trial rivals he will face at the world championships with
‘Tour of Spain legs’ don’t stand in his way of achieving yet another historic
feat.
But given the year the former three-time world champion has endured, he
knows that a podium place – in the face of stiff competition from American
Levi Leipheimer – would go a long way to showing that he is finally getting
back to his old self.
Between 2003 and 2005, the 28-year-old from Canberra was unstoppable at the
world championships, winning three consecutive rainbow jerseys and making
cycling history.
In 2006, however, a new kid arrived on the time trial block in the shape of
Fabian Cancellara. In Salzburg, Austria, Rogers finished two minutes behind
the Swiss rider.
Last year – Rogers’ ‘annus horribilis’ – the Australian was still
recovering from injuries sustained in a major crash at the Tour de France when
Cancellara took his second title in Stuttgart.
But for a few different reasons, the Australian looks a good bet to
realistically aim for a fourth gold on the rolling, 43.7 km circuit that will
host the race against the clock on Thursday.
Firstly, Cancellara has decided not to compete, citing fatigue at the end
of a season that has seen him crowned Milan-San Remo and Olympic time trial
champion, among other accolades.
Secondly, Rogers is riding in the town which he has made home since he
arrived in Europe several years ago.
And lastly he is finally finding race form after contracting a debilitating
bout of mononucleosis shortly after recovering from his 2007 Tour injuries.
All things considered, a medal would be a bonus. But despite admitting his
condition is “quite high” Rogers is aware that despite Cancellara’s decision
to stay at home in Berne, he can’t take even that for granted.
For starters, Leipheimer won both time trials at the Tour of Spain
(Vuelta), where he finished second overall behind champion and Spanish
teammate Alberto Contador.
“Leipheimer comes in with good form from the Vuelta and you can never
discount Contador,” said Rogers here Monday.
“Plus, as always, at the worlds there are bound to be two or three guys on
a super day.”
To his advantage, he hopes, will be his local knowledge of the course.
“I feel I’m getting better and better as the year progresses,” added
Rogers, who last month expressed satisfaction with his eighth place finish at
the Olympic Games in Beijing.
“I know the course quite well and have had the chance to train over it
since Beijing so I am really hoping to go back on the podium because it’s been
a couple of years since I’ve been on (it).
“It is a very achievable goal.”
Instead of racing the Tour of Spain, where potential gold medal rivals
Contador and Leipheimer performed well, Rogers opted for the Tour of Missouri
where he performed well in the time trial.
Even after another health setback – a bout of flu – the Australian says the
form is there.
“I’m quite happy with the form. I caught a little flu just after Missouri
but that’s kind of passed without too many issues, so overall quite happy.”
File Photo by: CorVos Pro
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