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28th Olympic Games - JO

Athens, Greece, August 14-28, 2004

Photography

Training at the velodrome, August 8, 2004
Olympians hit the road, August 11, 2004, and team managers' briefing, August 12, 2004
Cuba, Hong Kong, Netherlands & USA take to the boards, August 13, 2004
USA road team press conference, August 13, 2004
Training at the velodrome, August 13, 2004
Men's road race, August 14, 2004
Women's road race, August 15, 2004
Training for the Time-Trial, August 17, 2004
Women's time trial, August 18, 2004
Men's time trial, August 18, 2004
Aussies at the Velodrome; Canadians arrive; Secret German training
Track Day 1 - August 20, 2004
Track Day 2 - August 21, 2004
Track Day 3 (morning) - August 22, 2004
Track Day 3 (afternoon) - August 22, 2004
Track Day 4 - August 23, 2004
Track Day 5 - August 24, 2004
Track Day 6 - August 25, 2004
Women's MTB - August 27, 2004
Men's MTB - August 28, 2004

Men's Mountain Bike - August 28, 2004

Images by www.epicimages.us

• Julien Absalon (France) in the woods.
• Jose Hermida (Spain) in the woods, showing the cut from an earlier crash
• Silver medalist Jose Antonio Hermida (Spain) shows the scars and dirt of today's race.
• Liam Killeen of Britain muscles up the climb.
• Marco Bui of Italy on the descent
• Julien Absalon (France) on a turn.
• Thomas Frischknecht of Switzerland on the first climb.
• Huge crowds were at the venue today, with cooler weather helping make it bearable.
• Miguel Martinez (France) on the climb before abandoning.
• Australia's Sid Taberlay on a climb.
• Julien Absalon (France) flies down the descent.
• Bart Brentjens (Netherlands) winds his way through the woods.
• Seamus McGrath of Canada takes a corner.
• The riders descend past fans with Athens in the distance. The Olympic Complex is in the upper left corner.
• Race winner Julien Absalon (France) looking strong on the climb.
• Bart Brentjens of the Netherlands on the early climb
• Gold medal winner Julien Absalon of France takes a corner on lap 4
• Julien Absalon (France) wins the gold medal in the men's mountain bike race
• Julien Absalon (France) was pleased with his performance
• Bart Brentjens (Netherlands) shows his disappointment at the finish.
• Medal winners Hermida, Absalon, and Brentjens show off their metal

Images by Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com

• Calm before the storm at the start of the men's Olympic MTB race.
• Christoph Soukup (Austria) had a good ride to finish in the top 15.
• Lado Fumic (Germany) did not finish the men's MTB race
• Ralph Naef (Switzerland) gets some hang-time.
• Jose Antonio Hermida (Spain) drives on, with Julien Absalon (France) in his wake.
• Jose Antonio Hermida (Spain) had a superb day, but Julien Absalon (France) was even better.
• Ralph Naef (Switzerland) looks like he prefers the jumps to the climbs.
• Seamus Mcgrath (Canada) posted an excellent top 10 finish.
• Christoph Soukup (Austria) in the zone.
• Liam Killeen (Great Britain) shows the effort on the climb.
• Seamus McGrath (Canada) sets his sights on a top 10 finish.
• Christoph Soukup (Austria) puts down the power.
• Bart Brentjens (Netherlands), happier than he looked when he crossed the line.

Women's Mountain Bike - August 27, 2004

Images by www.epicimages.us

• Elsbeth Van Rooy-Vink (Netherlands) on the start loop.
• Mary McConneloug of the US on the start loop.
• Gunn-Rita Dahle (Norway) flies down the descent on the first lap
• An interesting Dahle fan in the woods.
• Gunn-Rita Dahle rides to an early lead on the first climb
• Mary McConneloug (USA) negotiates the descent.
• Russian Irina Kalentieva on the first lap climb.
• Jimena Florit of Argentina takes a jump on the descent.
• Mary McConneloug (USA) on her way to a top 10 finish.
• Gunn-Rita Dahle (Norway) in the woods on lap 2.
• Marie-Helene Premont of Canada negotiates the woods and wins a silver medal
• Australian Lisa Mathison takes a corner on the descent
• Sabine Spitz of Germany takes a jump on the descent.
• Bronze medallist Sabine Spitz (Germany) on the first descent
• Alison Sydor (Canada) in the woods.
• Frenchwoman Laurence Leboucher takes a corner on the downhill section.
• Mary McConneloug (USA) winds her way through the woods.
• Lisa Mathison (Australia) in the woods.
• Gunn-Rita Dahle (Norway) on the start lap.
• Gunn-Rita Dahle of Norway was a clear winner in the women's mountain bike race
• Photographers packed in at the podium.
• Sabine Spitz (Germany) celebrates her bronze medal by hoisting her bike.
• Dahle shares her gold medal with her many fans at the podium
• The women's podium winners show off their medals.

Images by Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com

• Gunn-Rita Dahle (Norway) totally focused.
• Marie-Helene Premont (Canada) gets down and dirty.
• Alison Sydor (Canada) in a world of hurt.
• Sabine Spitz (Germany) gives herself a mini-shower.
• Sabine Spitz (Germany) struggles with the dusty conditions.
• Is Jimena Florit (Argentina) enjoying herself?!
• Gunn-Rita Dahle (Norway) was hurting, but not as badly as some.
• Marie-Helene Premont (Canada) riding within herself.
• Sabine Spitz (Germany) focused on the job ahead.
• Sabine Spitz (Germany) licking her lips at the prospect of an Olympic medal.
• Marie-Helene Premont (Canada), legs and arms a pumpin'.
• Marie-Helene Premont (Canada), a picture of determination.
• Marie-Helene Premont (Canada), safely in silver.
• Sabine Spitz (Germany) overtook Canada's Alison Sydor in the latter stages of the race to claim the bronze medal.
• Gunn-Rita Dahle (Norway) finishes in style, with the Norweigan flag flying high.
• Just in case you missed it...
• Marie-Helene Premont (Canada), delighted with second and an Olympic silver medal.

Track Day 6 - August 25, 2004

Men's Keirin finals

Images by www.epicimages.us

• Ryan Bayley (Australia) wins the first heat of the keirin
• Shane Kelly (Australia) rides in the keirin
• Marty Nothstein (USA) defending Olympic champion was eliminated in two heats
• Shane Kelly riding in his fourth Olympics to bronze in the kerin
• Ryan Bayley starts to come round with one lap to go
• Ryan Bayley powers for the line with plenty of daylight behind him
• The keirin podium - Jose Escuredo (Spain, silver), Ryan Bayley (Australia, gold), Shane Kelly (Australia, bronze)
• And the fans go wild - Australia's fans have had lots to celebrate at the velodrome
• Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! Oi! Oi! Oi!
• Factor 30 sunscreen - available in many shades of green and gold
• Two flags for Australia over the keirin podium

Images by AFP Photo

• Rene Wolff (Germany) rides to the line in the second round of the men's keirin as Labros Vasilopoulos (Greece) and Theo Bos (Netherlands) hit the deck
• Shane Kelly (Aus) congratulated by the crowd after winning a bronze in the men's keirin

Men's Madison

Images by www.epicimages.us

• The British pairing of Rob Hayles and Bradley Wiggins start an exchange
• Rob Hayles and Bradley Wiggins caught mid-sling
• Rob Hayles untangles himself from Robert Slippens's bike
• Stuart O'Grady shows the effort as he slings Graeme Brown into the fray
• Stuart O'Grady and Graeme Brown workinghard in a gold-medal Madison
• O'Grady and Brown celebrate victory in the Madison
• O'Grady and Brown celebrate winning gold.
• Stuart O'Grady throws Graeme Brown into the action
• Hayles and Wiggins swap
• Argentina's Juan Esteban Curuchet and Walter Perez execute an exchange
• Stuart O'Grady gets squeezed in one of the sprints
• Stuart O'Grady and Rob Hayles battle for sprint points
• YESSSSS! Stuart O'Grady's victory salute
• A tearful Stuart O'Grady celebrates with his family

Images by AFP Photo

• The Russians and the Aussies sling their teammates in during the madison
• Robert Slippens (Ned) and Rob Hayles (GBr) come to grief in the men's madison
• Bruno Risi (Swi) slings his partner Marvulli into the fray
• Stuart O'Grady en route to taking a lap in the madison
• Franco Marvulli (Swi) clenches his fist after winning the final sprint and thus the silver medal in the men's madison

Women's Points Race

Images by www.epicimages.us

• Olga Slyusareva (Russia) wins the women's points race.

Images by AFP Photo

• Kate Bates (Australia) in action during the women's points race

Track Day 5 - August 24, 2004

Men's Points Race

Images by www.epicimages.us

• The start of the men's points race.
• USA's Colby Pearce (USA) finished 14th in what was a extremely animated points race.
• Mark Renshaw (Australia) was ever-attentive, but had trouble following all the moves today.
• Mark Renshaw (Australia) jumps across to a dangerous-looking move.
• Colby Pearce (USA) was very active early on.
• Mark Renshaw (Australia) gets blocked in during one of the intermediate sprints.
• Colby Pearce (USA) puts his head down.
• Greg Henderson (New Zealand) takes out one of the intermediate sprints.
• Colby Pearce (USA) drives on in an attempt to catch the ever-charging Russian, Mikhail Ignatyev.
• A group of four rides away in an attempt to steal a lap from the bunch.
• Eventual winner Mikhail Ignatyev (Russia) lapped the field an anstounding four times.
• Guido Fulst (Germany) on his way to the bronze medal.
• The bunch was often strung out single file.
• Mark Renshaw (Australia) and Greg Henderson (New Zealand) fight for the wheel in front of them.
• Mikhail Ignatyev (Russia) was a clear winner in the men's points race.

Images by AFP Photo

• Riders up, riders down in the men's points race
• Dutchman Peter Schep wsa often on the attack
• Young Russian Mikhail Ignatyev gives his gold medal the traditional test

Women's Sprint finals

Images by www.epicimages.us

• Australia's Anna Meares wins the bronze medal ahead of Svetlana Grankovskaya (Russia).
• Lori-Ann Muenzer (Canada) lines up at the start, held by her coach.
• Lori-Ann Muenzer (Canada) easily wins the women's sprint final against Tamilla Abassova (Russia) for the gold medal.
• Celebration time for Canada's Lori-Ann Muenzer, winner of the gold medal in the women's sprint.
• Lori-Ann Muenzer celebrates her win with the Canadian flag.

Images by AFP Photo

• The women's sprint podium: Tamilla Abassova (Russia, bronze), Lori-Ann Muenzer (Canada, gold), Anna Meares (Australia, silver)

Images by Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com

• Lori-Ann Muenzer checks where Tamilla Abassova has got to.
• Victory in sight as Muenzer realises nothing can stop her from winning Canada's first Olympic cycling gold.
• Lori-Ann Muenzer waves the Canadian flag on her victory lap.
• The center of attention - Lori-Ann Muenzer poses for photgraphers.
• YESSSSS! Lori-Ann Muenzer is more than a little bit pleased.
• Everyone up on to my step! The Canadian track team shares the glory.

Women's Sprint Semi-finals

Images by www.epicimages.us

• Anna Meares (Australia) wins the first round of the women's sprint final against Lori-Ann Muenzer, but not the last two.
• Anna Meares looks over her shoulder for Lori-Ann Muenzer.
• Lori-Ann Muenzer (Canada) leads Anna Meares down the back stretch.
• Anna Meares salutes Muenzer's win in the first of the women's semi-finals.
• Natalia Tsylinskaya (Belarus) leads in the women's 5-9 sprint final, which she won.
• Belarusian Natalia Tsylinskaya did enough to clinch fifth place in the 5-9 sprint final.

Men's Sprint finals

Images by www.epicimages.us

• Aussie flags flying high.
• The Aussie fans were out in force to see Ryan Bayley win the gold.
• Theo Bos (Netherlands) wins the first round of the gold medal final against Ryan Bayley.
• In another thrilling finish, Ryan Bayley (Australia) gets even with the Netherland's Theo Bos in round 2 of the gold medal final.
• Ryan Bayley (Australia) beats Theo Bos in round 2 of the sprint with a huge bike throw, along with his trademark wheelie.
• In the deciding round, Bayley and Bos manoeuvre for position, testing each other's nerves.
• An angry Ryan Bayley (Australia) takes the third round sprint with ease to clinch the gold medal.
• Ryan Bayley (Australia) wins the gold in the third and final round of the men's sprint.
• Ryan Bayley (Australia) salutes the crowd, with a very sporting Theo Bos joining in on the applause.
• Ryan Bayley (Australia) lifts his bike up high in front of his legion of fans.
• Aussie fans had plenty of reasons to smile after 'Flyin' Ryan's' triumph in the men's sprint final.

Images by AFP Photo

• Laurent Gané and Rene Wolff battled for bronze in the men's finals
• It was Germany's Wolff who emerged the winner of the bronze medal round
• The big showdown came between Ryan Bayley and Theo Bos
• Theo Bos won the first round but Bayley came back to win the next two- and gold
• Pure power: Ryan Bayley wins the sprint gold
• A podium royal: Theo Bos (Netherlands, silver), Ryan Bayley (Australia, gold), Rene Wolff (Germany, bronze)
• Ryan Bayley (Australia) savours his gold medal
• Rene Wolff (Germany) comes around the outside to beat Laurent Gane (France) 2-0 for the bronze medal.

Track Day 4 - August 23, 2004

Men's Team Pursuit finals

Images by www.epicimages.us

• The Australian team pulls out of the start gate in front of a sold out velodrome.
• The Australians win the team pursuit gold
• The Australian Pursuit team on its way to the gold medal.
• The British team pursuit riding to a silver medal.
• Three members of the Australian team pursuit squad celebrate their gold medal.
• Brett Lancaster shows his disbelief and joy at winning the Olympic Gold Medal.
• The Australian flag flies over the Olympic Velodrome during the podium ceremonies.

Images by AFP Photo

• The Aussies in action
• McGee, Lancaster, Brown and Roberts were the winners of the men's team pursuit
• Brad McGee watches while his teammates kiss the Athens track
• Brad McGee with his daughter Tahlia
• The Australian victory huddle after the final
• The German squad is urged on by the team coach, but couldn't do better than 4th
• Shout it to the east: The Spanish team celebrates its bronze medal in the team pursuit
• The Aussies on the podium: Graeme Brown, Brett Lancaster, Luke Roberts and Brad McGee
• The Brits on the podium with their silver medals

Images by Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com

• Team Spain on the way to bronze
• Team Spain goes hard
• Germany gave a good account of itself to finish fourth
• Spain's three survivors cross the line
• The Spanish team celebrates winning bronze
• The Brits - their time will come!
• Great Britain has the formation, now they just need the speed
• The Australian team was just too quick for the Brits
• Team Australia rearranges the numbers
• Luke Roberts leads the Australian team
• Australia's perfect form falters as Graeme Brown drives the charge for gold
• The Australian team takes a victory lap
• The Australian team after their gold medal winning ride
• The podium as the Australian national anthem is played
• The podium - Britain, Australia and Spain

Men's Sprint Quarter-finals

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• Defending world sprint champion Theo Bos has it easy in the quarter final sprint.
• French sprinters Gane and Bourgain at the start of their sprint round.
• Ryan Bayley (Aus) wins his quarter final heat.

Images by AFP Photo

• Ryan Bayley (Aus) accounts for Barry Forde (Barbados) in his heat
• Laurent Gane and Mikael Bourgain watch each other closely in their sprint heat, which Gane won

Images by Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com

• Theo Bos (Ned) keeps an eye on Ross Edgar (GBr)
• Barry Forde (Barbados) wasn't quick enough for Australia's Ryan Bayley
• Ross Edgar looks to be losing the psych-out with Theo Bos
• Edgar and Bos go for it
• Rene Wolff (Germany) leaves Damian Zielinski (Poland) trailing in his wake
• Laurent Gane (France) beats team-mate Mickael Bourgain
• Laurent Gane (France) wins the second heat against Mickael Bourgain

Women's Sprint Quarter-finals

Images by www.epicimages.us

• Anna Meares (Aus) keeps an eye on Katrin Meinke in their sprint.
• Lori-Ann Muenzer (Can) easily wins her quarter final sprint.
• Russia's Tamilla Abassova wins her quarter final sprint over Krupeckaite of Lithuania.

Images by AFP Photo

• Anna Meares (Australia) beat Katrin Meinke (Germany) 2-0 in the sprint quarter finals
• Tamilla Abassova (Russia) gets the better of Simona Krupeckaite (Lithuania) in the final round
• Simona Krupeckaite (Lithuania) gets one over Abassova in the second match
• Canadian Lori-Ann Muenzer rides ahead of Daniela Larreal (Venezuela) in her heat

Images by Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com

• Katrin Meinke (Germany) looks out for Anna Meares (Australia)
• Anna Meares powers to the line ahead of Katrin Meinke
• Anna Meares checks over her shoulder to see where Katrin Meinke is.
• Lori-Ann Muenzer (Canada) beats Daniela Larreal (Venezuela) in their first heat
• Tamilla Abassova (Russia) beats Simona Krupeckaite (Lithuania)
• Lori-Ann Muenzer (Canada) gets ready
• Daniela Larreal (Venezuela) ready to rumble
• Daniela Larreal (Venezuela) challenges Muenzer
• Daniela Larreal takes the lead with a lap to go
• Daniela Larreal and Lori-Ann Muenzer take it up on the banking
• Lori-Ann Muenzer (Canada) crosses the line ahead of Daniela Larreal (Venezuela)
• Victoria Pendleton (Great Britain) wins the sprint for ninth ahead of Jennie reed (USA)
• Svetlana Grankovskaya (Russia) won in two straight over Natallia Tsylinskaya (Belarus)

Track Day 3 (afternoon) - August 22, 2004

Women's individual pursuit finals

Images by www.epicimages.us

• Ulmer with great concentration and form, winning the gold in world record time.
• Sarah Ulmer (NZ) showing the perfect form that gave her a new world record and Olympic gold.
• Katie Mactier (Aus) putting in a great ride of 3:27.650, for second.
• Leontien Zijlaard-Van Moorsel (Ned) in her last race, winning bronze in the women's IP in a personal best time
• Bates with a smooth start in the women's pursuit.
• Katherine Bates (Aus) in the women's pursuit finals.
• Sarah Ulmer celebrates her gold with the New Zealand flag.
• Sarah Ulmer celebrates with her family

Images by Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com

• Katherine Bates (Australia) sets off in the bronze medal final against Leontien Zijlaard-Van Moorsel
• Leontien Zijlaard-Van Moorsel (Netherlands) on the way to winning her last-ever Olympic pursuit race
• Leontien Zijlaard-Van Moorsel took the bronze to make her the most medalled Olympic cyclist of all time
• Katie Mactier (Australia) rode a scorching first kilometre, a second faster than Ulmer
• Sarah Ulmer (New Zealand) gets into her tuck
• Sarah Ulmer showing complete concentration
• Sarah Ulmer huffs and puffs and blows another record over
• Katie Mactier battled valiantly but Ulmer was just too strong for the Aussie
• Sarah Ulmer displays her usual perfect form on the way to yet another title
• The scoreboard tells the tale - yet another world record pulverised
• A totally delighted Sarah Ulmer can finally relax and enjoy the moment after months of total focus

Men's Team Pursuit first round

Images by www.epicimages.us

• The Aussies show perfect team form on the way to a prelim win, prepping for the world record.
• This is what the Australian Pursuit team looked like to most of the fans, smashing the world record.
• The British team pursuit in full flight
• The team pursuit or is it sprint, or who knows? It's the British passing the French in the team pursuit.
• The Spanish team pursuit will ride for the bronze medal tomorrow.

Images by Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com

• France just got through to qualify seventh
• Team Russia ready to go in a packed Athens Velodrome
• Team Russia was second-slowest
• The German team were pleased with their comeback ride into the bronze final
• Lithuania had the bad luck to come up against Australia
• The Ukraine team was up against Spain in the first round
• The Netherlands bikes are Australian-made BTs
• The Netherlands went down valiantly against germany in the first round
• Team Spain beat Ukraine in the first round and will race Germany for the bronze
• Great Britain went under 4 minutes for the first time, only the third team in history to do so
• One of Team Australia's BT bikes is taken off the the pits to have some more go-faster yellow added
• The Australians beat their own world record and are hot favourites for the final

Men's sprint sixteenth-finals

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• Ryan Bayley (Aus) wins his sprint in the preliminaries.

Images by Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com

• Ryan Bayley (Ausralia) leads Stefan Nimke (Germany) in the sixteenths
• Forde and Edgar go head to head - Edgar went through but Forde came back through the repechage
• Damian Zielinski (Poland) keeps Teun Mulder in his place
• Jose Villanueva (Spain) and Josiah Ng (Malaysia) give it maximum effort
• Lukasz Kwiatkowski (Poland) and Sean Eadie (Australia) in the sixteenths
• Alois Kankovsky, Chibum Kim and Teun Mulder in the repechage

Women's sprint eighth-finals

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• Jennie Reed (USA) during her heat of the women's sprint

Images by Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com

• Evgenia Radanova (Bulgaria) looks understandably worried about the whereabouts of Anna Meares
• Lori-Ann Muenzer looks for Jennie Reed in a North American eighth-final showdown
• Muenzer and Reed battle it out - Muenzer proved to be the stronger
• Daniela Larreal (Venezuela) knocked out Yvonne Hijgenaar (Netherlands) in the eighths
• Simona Krupeckaite (Lithuania) beat Svetlana Grankovskaya (Russia) in the eighth-finals

Track Day 3 (morning) - August 22, 2004

Men's Team Pursuit qualification

Images by www.epicimages.us

• The Australian team pursuit shows perfect form in qualifying fastest.
• The lead riders of the British team pursuit, who qualified second.

Images by Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com

• Team New Zealand were eliminated in qualifying
• Team France appear to be having too much fun
• From Russia with aero helpmets
• Germany is looking like a team again after the 2003 shenanigans
• Lithuania squeaked into the first round, qualifying eighth
• The Ukraine blue and yellow train
• The Netherlands qualified fifth
• Spain qualified third and look like a threat for the future
• Great Britain very focused on going after arch-rivals Australia
• Australia were all power, qualifying fastest

Men's Sprint Qualification

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• Ryan Bayley (Aus) qualifies first in the men's 200 m sprint.
• Theo Bos (Ned) in the turn, to finish second by .04 seconds
• French rider Laurent Gane qualified a surprising 5th in the 200.

Images by Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com

• Hee Chun Yang (Korea) monsters the velodrome
• Barry Forde (Barbados) was 13th in qualifying
• Josiah Ng (Malaysia) heading for 11th
• Alois Kankovsky (Czech Republic) scraped in to qualify 18th
• Chibum Kim (Korea) rides to qualify 15th
• Lukasz Kwiatkowski (Poland) qualifies a tidy tenth
• Tomohiro Nagatsuka (Japan) was 14th in qualifying
• Sean Eadie (Australia) hasn't quite regained the speed of his 2002 world championship
• Jose Villanueva (Spain) hit mid-field with eighth place
• Ross Edgar (Great Britain) on the way to sixth
• Teun Mulder (Netherlands) looks a bit worried by it all
• Stefan Nimke (Germany) - one unkind wag remarked, "Any slower and they'd have to time him with a sundial." Harsh!
• Mickael Bourgain (France) - happy with qualifying fourth at his first Olympics
• Damian Zielinski (Poland) very much not hanging about
• Ryan Bayley (Australia) visits the spectators at the top of the banking
• Ryan Bayley - heads-down full-tilt boogie
• Laurent Gane (France) makes his charge down the banking in the qualifiers
• Theo Bos (Netherlands) - the world champion was second-fastest in qualifying and is surely the man to beat

Women's Sprint Qualification

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• Anna Meares (Aus) continues her winning ways with the best qualifying time in the women's 200.
• Jennie Reed of the US in the 200 TT.

Images by Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com

• Evgenia Radanova (Bulgaria) mixes cycling with winter speed-staking and has been an Olympian in both
• Tamilla Abassova (Russia) riding to a very serious third place
• Daniela Greluis Larreal (Venezuela) having way too much fun
• Katrin Meinke (Germany) may have only finished 11th but still averaged 61.776km/h
• Yvonne Hijgenaar (Netherlands) likes to go fast
• Natallia Tsylinskaya (Belarus) was second-fastest and is the biggest threat to Meares picking up another gold
• Simona Krupeckaite (Lithuania) on the way to sixth in qualiying
• Jennie Reed (USA) was the ninth fastest over 200m
• Victoria Pendleton (Great Britain) rides in the qualifying heat
• Lori-Ann Muenzer (Canada) on the way to qualifying fourth
• Anna Meares (Australia) flies down the banking

Track Day 2 - August 21, 2004

Women's 3km Individual Pursuit qualification & first round

Images by www.epicimages.us

• Erin Mirabella (USA) in the women's pursuit missed the final eight.
• Katie Mactier (Aus) set a new world record in the women's pursuit, which stood for about 5 minutes.
• Sarah Ulmer of New Zealand sets a new world and Olympic record, by more than three seconds!
• Sarah Ulmer (NZ) shows her perfect form on the way to a huge win and the world record.

Images by AFP Photo

• Sarah Ulmer (New Zealand) en route to smashing the world record in the women's 3000m IP in a time of 3.26.400

Men's Team Sprint finals

Images by www.epicimages.us

• The final two riders of the US team sprint, Adam Duvendeck and Christian Stahl.
• The Aussie team sprint led by Sean Eadie.
• The French Team sprint planned on being in the final, and raced for third instead.
• The surprising Japanese team sprint rides on Look bikes to a silver medal.

Images by AFP Photo

• Jens Fiedler (Germany) celebrates his team's win in the Team Sprint as he rides with his son on the handlebars
• The team sprint podium: Japan (2nd), Germany (1st) and France (3rd)

Men's 4km Individual Pursuit finals

Images by www.epicimages.us

• Bradley McGee (Aus) finishes second in the men's pursuit.
• Bradley Wiggins (GBr) wins the men's pursuit with a flawless ride against Bradley McGee.
• Bradley Wiggins wins gold in the men's pursuit.
• Pursuit riders Bradley Wiggins and Brad McGee after the finals in the pursuit.
• Bradley Wiggins (GBr) celebrates his gold medal with family and friends at track side.

Images by AFP Photo

• Brad Wiggins (GBr) showing the form that won him the gold medal in the men's IP
• The battle of the Brads was won by Wiggins (R) from McGee (L), but both riders are good friends outside competition

Track Day 1 - August 20, 2004

Women's 500m TT

Images by AFP Photo

• Natallia Tsylinskaya (Belarus) on her way to bronze in the women's 500m TT
• Yonghua Jiang (China) on her way to silver in the women's 500m TT
• Anna Meares (Aus) in full flight
• Anna Meares (Aus) wins the women's 500m TT
• Anna Meares (Aus) celebrates her gold medal and world record in the women's 500m TT
• Women's 500m TT gold medalist Anna Meares (Australia) looks happy with herself on the podium
• The podium of the women's 500m TT: Yonghua Jiang (2nd), Anna Meares (1st) and Natallia Tsylinskaya (3rd)

Images by www.epicimages.us

• Anna Meares (Aus) hugs the line in the corner on her way to gold
• Anna Meares (Aus) on her BT bike, winning gold.
• Anna Meares celebrates with the Australian flag after winning the gold.

Men's Kilo

Images by AFP Photo

• Dimitrios Georgalis (Greece) trying to get some more air in before the start of the men's kilo
• Shane Kelly (Aus) broke the Olympic record in the kilo, but was beaten by three more riders
• Frenchman Arnaud Tournant rode a great kilo, but had to settle for silver behind Chris Hoy
• Chris Hoy (GBr) was powerful in his winning ride of 1.00.711
• Chris Hoy (GBr) flies during the men's kilo
• Chris Hoy (GBr) celebrates his win in the men's kilo
• Hail Chris Hoy the winner of the men's kilo
• The men's kilo podium: Arnaud Tournant (2nd), Chris Hoy (1st) and Stefan Nimke (3rd)

Images by www.epicimages.us

• Shane Kelly leans into the turn but just misses a medal.
• Former world champion Arnaud Tournant (France) powers through the turn, but finishes second.
• British Fans rock the velodrome supporting their medal winners.
• Chris Hoy (GBr) celebrates Great Britain's first Gold medal on the track in the Kilometer Time Trial
• Chris Hoy (GBr) powers through a turn to win the Kilo.
• What the British fans have been waiting for, the Union Jack up on top.
• Chris Hoy fans celebrate his gold medal.

Men's IP Qualifying and Round 1

Images by AFP Photo

• The Athens velodrome before the first night of Olympic action
• Sergi Escobar (Spain) gets encouragement from his coach during the men's IP qualifying
• Brad Wiggins (GBr) was the fastest in both rounds of the men's individual pursuit

Images by www.epicimages.us

• Bradley Wiggins (GBr) in the pursuit, qualifies for the gold medal ride.
• Bradley McGee heads down the back straight during Round 1 of the pursuit.
• Robert Bartko of Germany and Fabien Sanchez (France) during the warm up session.

Aussies at the Velodrome; Canadians arrive; Secret German training

Images by www.epicimages.us - for a thumbnail gallery click here

• The Canadian track team - consisting of Lori-Ann Muenzer - checks out the Olympic Velodrome.
• In a new German training technique the derny driver drafts off one of their sprinters. We hope this isn't an indication of their team strength.
• Australian track coaches discuss practice.
• Sean Eadie and Anna Meares chat while warming up at the Athens velodrome.
• Shane Kelly and Coach Bannan go over the practice during cool down.
• Sean Eadie takes it easy after an effort during Tuesday's practice session.
• Coach Bannan and Shane Kelly discuss his practice session.
• Sean Eadie puts in a big effort on the track Tuesday afternoon.
• Shane Kelly flies around the track during his practice session Tuesday afternoon.

Men's Time Trial, August 18, 2004

For a thumbnail gallery of these images click here

Images by www.epicimages.us

• Viatcheslav Ekimov (Russia) shows the time trial form that has won both a gold and silver in the last two Olympics.
• Bobby Julich (USA) up close on his way to a bronze medal in the time trial.
• Micheal Rogers (Australia) rides to a disappointing fourth place finish.
• The men's time trial podium of Ekimov, Hamilton, and Julich.
• Jan Ullrich (Germany) has a good start with the fans cheering him on.
• Canada's Eric Wohlberg near the finish of the men's time trial.
• Tyler Hamilton (USA) flies towards the end of the first lap in the men's time trial.
• Bobby Julich and Tyler Hamilton (USA) pose with their medals for the photographers.

Images by Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com

• Santiago Botero (Colombia) demonstrates the Desperate Dan TT position
• Stuart Dangerfield (Great Britain) is a top domestic TT star, but could only manage 30th at this level
• Serguei Gonchar (Ukraine) didn't turn out to be the expected dark horse
• Michael Rich (Germany) was a solid fifth place, but didn't quite have a 'chocolade day'
• Viatcheslav Ekimov (Russia) at 38, giving inspiration to 'masters fatties' everywhere
• Bobby Julich (USA) capped a solid comeback year with Olympic bronze
• Michael Rogers (Australia) had hoped for better than fourth, but says he'll be back
• Tyler Hamilton (USA) was all class as he powered to victory
• Igor Gonzalez De Galdeano (Spain) was ninth
• Alexandre Vinokourov (Kazakhstan) looking strong on the way to sixth place
• Fabian Cancellara (Switzerland) rounded out the top ten
• Tyler Hamilton looked comfortable on the way to the win
• Jan Ullrich (Germany) was unable to reproduce his silver-medal form of 2000, finishing seventh

Images by AFP Photo

• Tyler Hamilton (USA) flew home in the final 12 km to win the race
• Tyler Hamilton (USA) en route to Gold
• Tyler Hamilton (USA) adjusts the shades
• Viatcheslav Ekimov (Russia) gets going
• Viatcheslav Ekimov (Russia) came so close to winning another Olympic TT gold
• Bobby Julich (CSC) in full flight
• Bobby Julich (CSC) looking forward to his race
• Michael Rogers (Australia) was in medal contention up until the final 10 km
• Alexandre Vinokourov (Kazakhstan) powers home for 6th place
• Jan Ullrich (Germany) hurting a lot
• Jan Ullrich (Germany) looked fast, but wasn't near his best today
• Santiago Botero (Colombia) produced a decent ride today for 8th
• Serguei Gonchar (Ukraine) did not have a good day, finishing 23rd
• Peter Van Petegem (Belgium) was the best rider in the first wave
• Thor Hushovd (Norway) had a disastrous start, having to change his bike just a few metres into the race
• Victor Pena (Colombia) sets off for his ride
• Tyler Hamilton (USA) gets a big kiss from his wife Haven as he celebrates his win
• Tyler Hamilton (USA) waves from the podium
• Tyler Hamilton (USA) shows off his nice gold medal
• The men's TT podium (L to R): Viatcheslav Ekimov (2nd), Tyler Hamilton (1st) and Bobby Julich (3rd)
• Bobby Julich (CSC) with Hamilton - two Americans in the top three

Women's time trial, August 18, 2004

For a thumbnail gallery of these images click here

Images by www.epicimages.us

• Christine Thorburn (USA) rides strongly and finishes a surprising fourth in the women's time trial.
• Dede Barry (USA) riding to a second place finish, with the waters of the Mediterranean behind her.
• Gold medal winner Leontien Van Moorsel (Netherlands) hides beneath her helmet.
• Dede Barry with the silver medal in the Women's Time Trial

Images by Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com

• Christine Thorburn (USA) turned in a powerful ride to take fourth place
• Lada Kozlikova (Czech Republic) on her way to fifth
• Oenone Wood (Australia) had hoped for better than sixth place
• Lyne Bessette (Canada) finished 16th, perhaps still bruised from her road race crash
• Joane Somarriba took the Spanish colours to seventh place
• Karin Thuerig (Switzerland) showed that she's one of the world's best time trialists with the bronze
• Leontien Zijlaard-Van Moorsel (Netherlands) rose above the pain for first place
• Judith ARndt (Germany) looked to be having a happier time today
• Dede Barry (USA) gives it everything
• Nicole Cooke (Great Britain) seemed to find the heat a problem - it doesn't often get to 30 degrees in her native Wales!
• Oenone Wood (Australia) - all power
• Edita Pucinskaite (Lithuania) en route to tenth
• The effort shows on Leontien Zijlaard-Van Moorsel's face
• Leontien Zijlaard-Van Moorsel wipes away a tear on the podium
• Dede Barry (USA) very happy with silver
• An emotional podium - Dede Barry (USA), Leontien Zijlaard-Van Moorsel (Netherlands) and arin Thuerig (Switzerland) lost in the moment

Images by AFP Photo

• Leontien Zijlaard-Van Moorsel (Netherlands) recovered from her road race crash to defend her Olympic time trial title
• Leontien Zijlaard-Van Moorsel (Netherlands) savours her gold medal in the time trial
• The women's podium: Deirdre Demet-Barry (USA, silver), Leontien Zijlaard-Van Moorsel (Netherlands, gold), Karin Thürig (Switzerland, bronze)

Training for the Time-Trial - for a gallery of these images, click here

Images by AFP Photo

• Christophe Moreau learns the correct way to hold a bidon from Laszlo Bodrogi
• Jan Ullrich gets the most out of his drink
• Victor Hugo Pena Grisales and Santiago Botero Echeverri fly the Colombian colours
• Welcome to the House of Fun. Jan Ullrich tries out for the next Madness tour
• Christophe Moreau and Laszlo Bodrogi
• Jeannie Longo Ciprelli readies herself for the Women's TT
• Jan Ullrich and Erik Zabel out for an early-morning training ride

Images by Rob Jones

• Santiago Botero and Victor Hugo Peña are interviewed by Spanish TV
• Curt Harnett with personal hero Miguel indurain
• Miguel Indurain talks to Jan Ullrich and Erik Zabel (Michael Rich in background)
• Leontien van Moorsel poses with her bike

Women's road race, August 15, 2004

Images by www.epicimages.us

• Sara Carrigan (Australia) punches the sky as she claims gold in the women's road race
• Sara Carrigan (Australia) can't believe she's just won gold
• The US team enjoys a light minute at the local Starbucks before the start
• Lyne Bessette leads the peloton on the climb before being taken out of the race in Van Moorsel's crash
• The favorite for the race, Leontein Van Moorsel at the top of the climb
• The women's peloton climbs the final hill on the Athen's road course
• Two very orange fans show their support for the riders from the Netherlands
• Christine Thorburn chases the lead group with one lap to go
• Miguel Indurain, looking his usual handsome self, in the VIP section at the finish

Images by AFP Photo

• The eternal Jeannie Longo (France) smiles before the start
• Spain's Eneritz Iturriaga was the first rider to launch a serious attack
• Leontien Van Moorsel goes down, taking Nicole Brändli and Lyne Bessette with her
• Van Moorsel stays on the ground after her crash in the start/finish area
• Race over for defending champion Van Moorsel, who crashed heavily after a moment of inattention
• Judith Arndt (Germany) bridged the gap to Sara Carrigan's race winning attack
• Judith Arndt expresses her frustration at the German federation's decision not to bring friend and sprinter Petra Rossner
• Olga Slyusareva (Russia, right) takes the sprint for the bronze medal
• Sara Carrigan (Australia) is crowned Olympic champion in the women's road race
• Judith Arndt (Germany) had a hard time enjoying her silver medal
• Olga Slyusareva (Russia) was pleased with bronze
• The women's podium: Judith Arndt (l), Sara Carrigan, Olga Slyusareva

Men's road race, August 14, 2004

Images by www.epicimages.us

• Laurent Jalabert now a commentator for French TV, surveys the start scene.
• Bobby Julich (USA) fights to chase down the break on the steepest part of the climb.
• The men's peloton rolls down the cobbles in front of the Acropolis.
• Defending champion Jan Ullrich
• Canadian Road Champion Gord Fraser crests the final turn.
• Robbie McEwen is followed up the climb by a TV moto.
• Micheal Rogers gives it up and chases Virenque for the Aussie team.
• Micheal Rogers leading the climb on Lap 6 of the men's road race.
• The Aussies mount a chase after the Virenque break.
• Baden Cooke takes a turn near the top of the climb.
• Kiwi Julian Dean attacks on the climb.
• Paolo Bettini (Italy) wins the men's road race
• A very tired and disappointed Robbie McEwen looks for the way home at the finish.
• Stuart O'Grady shows his disappointment after a complete effort in 36 degree heat.
• A very hot Micheal Barry (Can) is interviewed at the finish line.
• Paolo Bettini (Italy) with the gold medal around his neck
• Paolo Bettini (Italy) listens to the Italian national anthem

Images by AFP Photo

• The Italian job Bettini, Pozzato, Moreni, Nardello and Paolini
• Paolo Bettini (Italy) fuels up at the start
• Stuart O'Grady (Australia) gets ready
• Members of the Japanese team look upbeat at the start
• Tyler Hamilton (USA) focuses before the start
• The peloton goes past the Acropolis
• The peloton rides past a ruin on the parcours
• The German team did a lot of work early on
• Jan Ullrich (Germany) grabs a drink
• Magnus Backstedt (Swe) suffers in the heat
• Magnus Backstedt (Swe) rides past the Acropolis during his solo breakaway
• Richard Virenque (France) rides with Laszlo Bodrogi (Hungary) in pursuit of Backstedt
• Jan Ullrich (Germany) and George Hincapie (USA) in the peloton
• Paolo Bettini (Italy) leads Sergio Paulinho (Portugal) in their winning breakaway
• Paolo Bettini (Italy) celebrates his win over Paulinho
• Paolo Bettini (Italy) celebrates some more
• Paolo Bettini (Italy) is congratulated by Italian coach Franco Ballerini (R) after his win
• Jan Ullrich (Germany) tried, but missed the move when Bettini went
• Paolo Bettini (Italy) looks very happy after winning the Olympic men's road race
• Paolo Bettini (Italy) on the podium with his laurels
• Sergio Paulinho (Portugal) was the surprise winner of the silver medal
• Axel Merckx (Belgium) rode a great race for the bronze medal
• The podium (L to R): Sergio Paulinho (2nd), Paolo Bettini (1st) and Axel Merckx (3rd)

Training at the velodrome, August 13, 2004

Images by www.epicimages.us & AFP Photo. Click here for a gallery of these images.

• Colby Pearce practices for the points race.
• The US Olympic Sprint team of Gideon Massie, Adam Duvendeck and Christian Stahl wind up for the sprint in practice.
• Coach Adrej Bek and sprinter Jennie Reed work on the track.
• The Great Britain sprint team begin their workout session.
• The Great Britain sprint team start winding it up.
• A member of the Great Britain team practices behind a derny bike.
• A member of the Great Britain pursuit team cranks it up.

Images by AFP Photo

• French cyclist Arnaud Tournant stretches during a training session at the Athens Velodrome on Friday, August 13.
• French cyclist Francois Pervis has a bit of a stretch himself. Do try this at home.
• US cyclist Colby Pearce has a lot of a stretch. Don't try this at home.
• French head coach Gerard Quintyn gestures to his riders. "Time for dinner, boys and girls."
• Italian Vera Carrara goes through the motions during a training session.
• Whoaah, check out the %^&* on that! Dutch Jens Mouris (R) shows a picture to his teammate Peter Schep after a training session at the Velodrome.
• Dutchwoman Leontien Zijlaard-Van Moorsel leads during a training session at the Velodrome in Athens.
• Hong Kong's Wong Kam-Po out practicing on the boards.
• US men's and women's sprint coach, Andrzej Bek, keeps a close eye on Jennie Reed during a training session.
• USA's Giddeon Massie leads team-mate Christian Stahl during a training session.
• USA's Adam Duvendeck adjusts his helmet before a training session at the velodrome.
• Cuban coach Leonel Alvarez Diaz keeping time on one of his riders.
• Sometimes it all gets too hard...
• ... or too hot, as USA's Adam Duvendeck gulps down some water...
• ... or simply too easy, as Netherland's Jens Mouris kicks back...
• ... or just plain boring, yawns Netherland's Danny Stam.

USA road team press conference, August 13, 2004

Images by www.epicimages.us

• George Hincapie, Bobby Julich, and Levi Leipheimer listen to a question at the press conference.
• Bobby Julich being interviewed after the press conference, commenting on the dangerous course.
• Jason McCartney is delighted to be here, and is happy to answer questions at the press conference.
• The US men's road team (L to R): Tyler Hamilton, George Hincapie, Bobby Julich, Levi Leipheimer, and Jason McCartney at the press conference.
• Jim Ochowicz responds to a question while Levi Leipheimer and Jason McCartney are lost in thought.

Images by Rob Jones

• The US men's road team with manager Jim Ochowicz on the right
• The US women's road team (L to R): Manager Jim Miller, Dede Barry, Kristin Armstrong and Christine Thorburn...and the men
• George Hincapie (USA) ponders the road race
• Bobby Julich (USA) gives his view of things

Images by Damien Meyer/AFP Photo

• George Hincapie (USA) gives a 'thumbs up' for Team USA
• George Hincapie (USA) looks focused before a training ride on the Athens Olympic road course
• George Hincapie (USA), far left, and team-mate Levi Leipheimer, foreground, lead a training bunch on the road course

Images by Andy Lee/

• Bobby Julich leads a team USA (plus one!) training ride
• Bobby Julich & Tyler Hamilton lead the team on a training ride
• Dede Barry is probably the US's best chance for a medal in the women's road race
• George Hincapie and Canada's Michael Barry lead out on a descent
• Jason McCartney & Michael Barry (Canada) lead the group. McCartney is riding in his first Olympics; Barry joined the ride to accompany his wife Dede

Cuba, Hong Kong, Netherlands & USA take to the boards, August 13, 2004

Images by Greg Wood/AFP Photo. Click here for a gallery of these images.

• Julio Cesar Herrera Cabrera (Cuba) follows his team's assistant coach on a pace bike during a training session at the Velodrome
• Julio Cesar Herrera Cabrera (Cuba) and team-mate Reinier Cartaya Jorge follow their assistant coach on a pace bike as a board indicates 'Welcome'
• Yoanka Gonzalez Perez (Cuba) finds a little Greek sunshine in the velodrome
• Kam Po Wong, Hong Kong's entry in the points race race trains in the velodrome
• Leontien Van Moorsel (Netherlands) leads during a training session at the Velodrome.
• Danny Stam (Netherlands) leads his teammates Jens Mouris and Jeroen Straathof
• A Cuban rider takes a break during training. The heat and humidity is expected to be a factor in the track events at these games.
• Gideon Massie (USA) leads Christian Stahl on the track
• Jennie Reed (USA) sweeps round the banking
• Coach Andrzej Bek watches Jennie Reed in training at the velodrome
• Christian Stahl (USA) leads Giddeon Massie and Adam Duvendeck in a training session at the velodrome
• Christian Stahl (USA) seems to be enjoying training - or is that a grimace. He is followed by Giddeon Massie and Adam Duvendeck.

Olympians hit the road, August 11, 2004, and team managers' briefing, August 12, 2004

Images by www.epicimages.us

• Bobby Julich (USA) flashes a relaxed smile while waiting to start the practice session.
• Levi Leipheimer (USA) in the new American kit for the road course.
• Dede Barry (USA) and Eric Wohlberg (Canada) catch up at the start of the road practice.
• Eric Wohlberg (Canada) practices on the road course in the evening sunshine
• Lyne Bessette (Canada) shows off the new Canadian jersey near the top of the climb on the road course.
• Britain's Nicole Cooke (right) climbs with team-mate Rachel Heal during practice.

Images by Damien Meyer/AFP Photo

• George Hincapie (USA) gives a 'hang loose' sign for Team USA
• George Hincapie (USA) looks focused before a training ride on the Athens Olympic road course
• George Hincapie (USA), far left, and team-mate Levi Leipheimer, foreground, lead a training bunch on the road course
• Jan Ullrich arrives at Athens airport on Thursday, August 12, along with his team-mate Erik Zabel.
• Cycling legend Laurent Jalabert passes the security control to enter the 'Club France' at the Piraeus the day before the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.
• Yay, I made it! Richard Virenque follows Laurent Jalabert through security control, without incident.
• Excuse me, maam - French cyclist Edwig Pitel uses her charm to get through.
• Peter Van Petegem and his Belgian team-mates ride near the Acropolis the day before the Olympic road race.
• More Frenchies - Christophe Moreau, Thomas Voeckler and Jeannie Longo-Ciprelli have their belongings checked by security control.
• Athens Olympic Committee cycling competition manager, Petsas Vladimiros, speaks during a gathering of coaches and team managers to discuss the road race at the Athens Velodrome on Friday, August 13, the day before the event.
• Coaches and team managers from different countries gather for the meeting at the Athens Velodrome.
• More coaches and team managers.

Training at the velodrome, August 8, 2004

Images by AFP

• An exterior view of the velodrome, taken on August 8, 2004.
• Greek police watch over a training session at the velodrome on August 8, 2004.
• Korean cyclist Hong Suk-Hwan trains at the Olympic velodrome on August 8, 2004.
• Hong Suk-Hwan adjusts his helmet during a training session at the Athens Olympic Velodrome.
• Hong Suk-Hwan adjust his bike midway through his training session.
• Hong Suk-Hwan gives a wave.
• Korean cyclist Kim Chibum has a laugh during a break at the Athens Olympic Velodrome.