Scandinavian nation puts confidence in its two leading riders eight months before the games; Johansson looking to go one better than Beijing silver
With more than eight months to go until the London 2012 Olympic Games the Swedish Cycling Federation (SCF) has selected Emilia Fahlin (HTC-Highroad) and Emma Johansson (Hitec Products-UCK) for the road race. The International Cycling Union (UCI) has yet to announce the allocation of riders per nation for the Olympic race – and is not scheduled to do so until May 31st next year – but the SCF has shown confidence in its two leading riders.
“It’s good for the girls to be selected, as they can focus on peak condition for the Olympic competitions,” said Coach Madeleine Lindberg Wall. “The women's road race will be run on Sunday the 29th of July, and time trial will be contested on August 1.
“I was there with Emma and Emilia in mid-October for reconnaissance on the courses, so it feels as if we are prepared for what to expect,” she added. “There will be two very exciting women’s bike races in London.”
London will be Johansson’s second Olympics, since she picked up the silver medal in Beijing 2008 behind Great Britain’s Nicole Cooke. She was joined in the team by two-time World champion Susanne Ljungskog and current Hitec Products-UCK teammate Sara Mustonen. Both Johansson and Ljungskog rode the time trial three days later, finishing 21st and tenth respectively.
When the rider allocations are finally announced next year Sweden, which finished 2011 third in the UCI rankings, will likely find itself allocated a third rider; in which case Mustonen could well make her second Olympic appearance. Should the country be allocated just one time trial place it would likely go to Fahlin, since she has won the Swedish title for the past three years. Johansson is also a three-time champion though, so the Swedes may well be allocated a second spot.
By contrast, the Swedish men have just one rider allocation for both road race and time trial.