Cockerill writes that "Kathy Watt and Nathan O'Neill claimed their respective time trial titles on the opening day of the national road championships at Calga on the Central Coast yesterday. Yet for different reasons, neither victory matters in terms of Olympic Selection."
"Watt was already assured of a ride in the time trial at Atlanta before here comprehensive victory in the 25 km women's race, when she finished more than a minute in front of fellow Victorian Anna Wilson. The Barcelona gold medallist in the individual road race will again ride in three events at Atlanta, the other two being the road race and the individual pursuit on the track."
"O'Neill, meanwhile already understood his chance of earning an Atlanta berth was virtually non-existent - no matter what happened on the men's hilly 40 km course. He won yesterday's race in 51 min 50.4 s, 10s faster than fellow Queenslander Brett Dennis, and more than 20s faster than defending champion Matt White, of NSW. Dennis, a long-time member of the AIS-Giant road squad, remains in Olympic contention with a ride decribed as excellent by the national coach, Heiko Salzwedel."
Salzwedel said "He didn't win, but he proved to me that he is capable of handling the pressure of an important race."
Cockerill continues that "For the first time, cycling at the Olympics will be open, allowing Salzwedel to consider the claims of Australia's European-based professionals. While none of these pros are competing in this week's national titles, Neil Stephens (ONCE) and sprinter Robbie McEwan (Rabobank), remain the Olympic certainties with Patrick Jonker (ONCE) also a likely contender. The two remaining vacancies are set to be contested by four riders - Dennis and his Giant/AIS teammate Damien McDonald, who finished ninth in yesterday's time trial, the injury-prone Henk Vogels (Rabobank), and the vastly experienced Stephen Hodge (Festina), who won the Tour of Tasmania earlier in the year."
"Right now, Vogels, who is still suffering severe headaches after crashing into a wall during a one-day race in the Netherlands last month, is struggling to stay in contention. McDonald and Dennis are firming for Olympic selection."
Salzwedel says "They have really shown me they are serious Olympic contenders."
Cockerill concludes "The Digital national titles continue tomorrow with the women's individual road race over 110km at Sydney's Centennial Park, while on Saturday, the men's road race over 200kmm will be held on the same course. The championships will end with the men's and women's criterium, at Darling Harbour on Sunday."