As the excruciating conditions got the better of some of cycling's big names, such as Jens Voigt, 2007 Tour de France winner Alberto Contador and the reigning Olympic road race champion Paolo Bettini, it took a cool head to prevail in the Chinese heat, the cool head of Samuel Sanchez.
Cycling Through Beijing
After what had been poorly run initially, the Chinese finally decided that the Olympic road race would begin in the heart of Beijing. A decision that no doubt they are pleased with as the opening stages of the race allowed the world to bear witness to some of the Chinese capital’s most famous and beautiful sights.
Even though rumours had been rife prior to the Games that some of the endurance events, such as cycling, would have to be cancelled or moved due to the poor air conditions in Beijing, the race went ahead regardless. These concerns were raised as the amount of pollution in Beijing could have affected the breathing of athletes, thus putting their health at risk and sadly after the road race British rider Jonny Bellis stated, “I was struggling with my breathing all the way up the climb”. However, one would suggest that this had little to do with pollution and more to do with the tremendous heat and humidity because temperatures reached 26C and the humidity was at a staggering 90%.
Olympic Road Race Drama
With very little happening in the opening stages of the race, it needed something to get it going and with 40km of the 245km race to go Chrsitian Pfannberger of Austria launched a solo attack. The Austrian managed to stay at the head of the field for a brief time before he was swallowed up by the pack as they approached the final 9km ascent of the race.
It was at this time when other riders began their own attacks for glory, as Australia’s Cadel Evans broke free before Andy Schleck, Davide Rebellin, Michael Rogers, Alexander Kolobnev and Samuel Sanchez managed to get free from the main group. However, it wasn’t long before this five man breakaway group had been diminished to just three, due to Rogers and Kolobnev falling behind. Despite dropping back from the leaders, the two of them tried very hard to get back in touch with the leading trio and eventually they did with the help of Fabian Cancellara. Cancellara joined Rogers and Kolobnev after making a powerful and swift break away from the main bunch and together the three of these riders fought back to catch up with the leaders with just one kilometre to go.
2008 Olympic Road Race Finish
After being caught in such dramatic fashion it seemed as though neither Schleck, Rebellin nor Sanchez would have anything left to give, however this would not be the case. At the 250 metres to go mark Sanchez showed a turn of pace and left his competitors playing catch up. As a result the 30-year-old Spaniard just about had enough to claim Spain’s first ever Olympic road racing medal, with Rebellin claiming silver on his 37th birthday and the brave Cancellara taking bronze.
