Tales from the peloton, August 8, 2008

Roadies count down as trackies arrive

By Greg Johnson

The wait is nearly over, with less than 10 hours remaining before Beijing, China throws open its doors to the hundreds of millions expected to watch this evening's opening ceremony. While many will be preparing for a big celebration this evening, one bunch of athletes - the men's Olympic road race competitors - will be having an early night.

Athletes have spent the final day before tonight's celebrations getting into the training rhythm after touching down in China this week. An increased group of riders have been scoping the men's road race course, with the medals to be decided in just over 24 hours time. The women's road racers have an extra day up their sleeves before the race on Sunday, while the time trialists have until mid-next week to finish their preparations.

One day after making a controversial arrival wearing breathing masks, the United States of America track team put the media attention behind it and hit the Laoshan Velodrome. Joined by Great Britain, France, Ukraine, Netherlands and China, it was one of the first major training sessions held at the velodrome, with the track events not starting until next weekend.

The countdown to 8/8/2008 has been anything but squeaky clean. Protesters have already taken into custody, while cameramen have been focused on the sky above looking for the slightest improvement, or deterioration, in the smog situation. While a typhoon has been dampening spirits at Olympic venues in Hong Kong, Beijing has been given the World Health Organisation's air quality thumbs up.

So, let the Games begin.

Roadies count down as trackies arrive, August 8, 2008

United States of America riders train alongside Photo ©: AFP	Riders from various teams tackle the climb near China's Great Wall Photo ©: AFP	Norwegian national team riders fly by a Chinese temple Photo ©: AFP	The Belgian national team has some fun while training for tomorrow's race. Photo ©: AFP
New Zealand's Timothy Gudsell has some fun Photo ©: AFP	The women have an extra day before their race, Photo ©: AFP	Stuart O'Grady leads the Australian national squad Photo ©: AFP	France's Cyril Dessel goes it alone on the climb Photo ©: AFP
Defending Olympic Champion Paolo Bettini readies for a Photo ©: AFP	Brothers in arms: Team CSC team-mates Frank and Andy Schleck Photo ©: AFP	Security is tight everywhere in Chine, including at the Laoshan Velodrome. Photo ©: AFP	An American track rider circles around the boards Photo ©: AFP
The United States of America track riders put the previous day's controversy behind them, Photo ©: AFP	The Netherlands squad makes its way around China's Photo ©: AFP	France's track squad will be one of the strongest at this year's Olympic Games. Photo ©: AFP	British track cyclist Chris Hoy prepares for a warm-up session. Photo ©: AFP
Track cyclist Victoria Pendleton is another of Great Britain's Photo ©: AFP	Bradley Wiggins listens to some beats while warming up Photo ©: AFP	All warmed up: Great Britain's track team hits the Laoshan Velodrome. Photo ©: AFP	The British and Chinese squads were out training ahead of this evening's opening ceremony. Photo ©: AFP
The Australian team tests the climb. Photo ©: Casey Gibson	Some of the Belgian road team Photo ©: Casey Gibson	Paolo Bettini leads the Italians Photo ©: Casey Gibson	Cadel Evans heads out for the ride. Photo ©: Casey Gibson
Evans heads up the climb. Photo ©: Casey Gibson	The French team rides past a shrine Photo ©: Casey Gibson	England's Roger Hammond and Stephen Cummings warming up. Photo ©: Casey Gibson	The Italian women take in the sites. Photo ©: Casey Gibson
Jeannie Longo and her husband Photo ©: Casey Gibson	Serbia's Ivan Stevic tests the course. Photo ©: Casey Gibson	A Temple and the Great Wall Photo ©: Casey Gibson	A mixed squad of Americans and Canadians Photo ©: Casey Gibson
Fabian Wegmann (Germany) Photo ©: Roberto Bettini	Stefan Schumacher (Germany) kits up Photo ©: Roberto Bettini	Security is in evidence Photo ©: Roberto Bettini	Gerald Ciolek (Germany) Photo ©: Roberto Bettini
Levi Leipheimer (USA) Photo ©: Roberto Bettini	The Belgian team poses Photo ©: Roberto Bettini	The Belgian and Dutch teams Photo ©: Roberto Bettini	Dutch riders take in the views Photo ©: Roberto Bettini
Swiss and Dutch riders Photo ©: Roberto Bettini	The Belgian squad on the climb Photo ©: Roberto Bettini	Stefan Schumacher (Germany) is taking the pressure well. Photo ©: Roberto Bettini

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