Tyler Farrar’s drive to prepare for next year’s London Games by winning today’s Olympic Test Event crumbled due to two misfortunes, with an energy-sapping puncture and chase being followed by a crash inside the final three kilometres.
The USA team captain rolled in a distant 87th, three minutes 23 seconds back. It was nothing like the result he was aiming for, as he stated afterwards. “I came here to try and win,” he said. “I wanted to do this sprint for the win to get a feel for it. It is a pity, but that is bike racing.”
However although he didn’t get to stand on the podium or, what would have been even better, beat his big rival Mark Cavendish, who won the race, he did get the chance to ride the Olympic course. That gives him a better idea of what will be required next year and, in addition, hands him an edge over the rivals who didn’t compete today.
“I think the circuit is harder than people have given it credit for,” he said, giving his assessment afterwards. “Nine laps of that circuit will be quite hard, especially for guys like me. There is still a long way to the finish, however, so there is time to come back. I think it will be an unpredictable Olympics.”
It’s likely that next year’s Olympic team will feature many of the big names of USA Cycling. Farrar was by far the best known of those who raced in today’s race, with many other ‘names’ missing the race due to their participation in the Tour of Utah or Eneco Tour, or their preparation for the Vuelta a España.
He was supported by four less-well known competitors, but was complementary afterwards about the performances of Ian Boswell (Trek Livestrong), Ty Magner (Team Type 1 Development), Gavin Mannion (Trek Livestrong U23) and Tanner Putt (Team Type 1 Development).
“The team did great,” he said. “I think they should be proud of themselves today, particularly Boswell who was on the front from nearly start-to-finish. They are young guys, but they were committed to trying to help me out and did a really good job. We just didn’t have luck on our side in the end.”
That bad luck struck when Putt broke a wheel and was unable to chase back on. It reared its head again when Farrar punctured with ten kilometres to go; his team-mates worked to get him back into position, but he then hit the deck three kilometres out.
Still, both he and his team-mates got a valuable hands-on trial of the course, showing what will be involved in next year’s race. There will be nine laps of Box Hill rather than today’s two, but otherwise today’s race will have given a good dry run and an insight into what will be required next July 28th.
For details of today's race, click here: