by Justin Davis

JUYONGGUAN, China, Aug 13, 2008 (AFP) – It took a maiden Olympic gold and
the sight of a Swiss flag to bring a tear to the eyes of one of the world’s
toughest cyclists on Wednesday.

But it didn’t take long after an emotional first climb to the top step of
the podium for Switzerland’s Fabian Cancellara to get back to his old self.

Nicknamed ‘Spartacus’ in his professional day job, Cancellara overcame a
six-second deficit to Gustav Larsson with 13km to ride in the 47.3km Olympic
time trial to leave the Swedish champion 33sec in his wake at the finish.

The two-time world time trial champion from Berne said he hit speeds of up
to 80 km/h on the flatter sections of the course leading to the finish line at
the magnificent Great Wall of China.

It was Switzerland’s second cycling medal of the day following Karin
Thurig’s bronze in the women’s time trial, and Cancellara’s second of the
Games after his bronze in the road race.

Looking emotional on the podium, the reigning Milan-San Remo champion and
2006 Paris-Roubaix winner admitted the pressure was on him to win an historic
first Olympic time trial gold for Switzerland.

“To be the favourite and then finish first is a very hard thing,” he said.

“I am very happy and proud about this ride. I prepared a lot, made lots of
sacrifices and I had to go out and show everything I had.

“I’m here at the Olympics and you see a Swiss flag, you hear the anthem.
What more can you ask for?”

Cancellara was beaten twice in both time trials of the Tour de France, by
Germany’s Stefan Schumacher.

However, in July’s three-week epic, he was at the service of a CSC team
which fought hard to land the yellow jersey. Thanks in part to Cancellara, it
ended up on the shoulders of their team leader Carlos Sastre of Spain.

After a solid start to his own bid for glory Wednesday, Cancellara did not
disappoint.

Larsson, the Swedish champion who had revealed earlier this season to his
CSC teammate that he too wanted Olympic gold, was lying first with 13km to
race. But Cancellara didn’t panic.

“When I heard on the radio earpiece that I was six seconds back to Larsson
I started giving it everything, I didn’t want to lose today,” he added.

He put his legs into overdrive, eventually finished in just over 1hr 02min.
Larsson’s six-second lead had become a 33 sec deficit.

“I tried to go out and beat Fabian, but he was too strong,” admitted the
Swede.

Even Levi Leipheimer, who came third, was stunned to learn he had been
beaten by Cancellara’s gear ratio of 54×11. The American had aimed for less
cadence and more power with a 55×11.

“For him to push a 54 that fast is incredible. I don’t know how he did it,”
said Leipheimer.

There was, however, another motivation for the Swiss.

“Not winning the gold today would have been a failure for me,” he said.

“Now it’s time to get some rest and enjoy what I have achieved.”

Levi Leipheimer On His Way To Olympic Bronze in TT

Fabian Cancellara at Olympic TT

Gustav Larsson Wins Olympic TT Silver Medal

Cancelaara and Leipheimer On TT Podium

Photo’s by: CorVos Pro