Giant Riders Rogers, Barry Score Top-10 Olympic Finishes

Giant-sponsored riders Michael Rogers and Michael Barry each finished in the top-10 of the men’s Olympic Road Race on the opening day of competition at the Beijing Games. The Australian Rogers finished an impressive sixth, while Barry, a Canadian, finished ninth.

For each of the two Team Columbia riders, it was an impressive showing—Rogers showed that he has returned to form after illness earlier this season, and Barry achieved the top result among North American racers. Both rode new Giant TCR Advanced SL bikes on a hot, muggy day in Beijing.

Spaniard Sammy Sanchez took the gold medal in the 245-kilometer race, which started at Tiananmen Square in Beijing and traveled 80 kilometers north to a hilly 20-kilometer circuit around The Great Wall of China. Sanchez outsprinted silver medalist Davide Rebellin of Italy and bronze medalist Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland.

For Rogers, who finished with the lead bunch of seven riders, the strong result was a confidence-builder going into the Olympic time trial on Wednesday. Rogers, a late addition to the Australian Olympic squad, said he was slowed by a leg cramp in the final 200 meters, but felt good about his form.

“I think after today, the conditions on the [time trial] course are perfect for me,” Rogers told Cyclingnews.com. “If luck is on my side who knows, it could be my day.”

Rogers, a three-time world champion in the time trial, will be a heavy favorite to medal in the TT. Also helping his cause will be a prototype Giant time trial bike, a machine that was ridden by several Team Columbia riders at the Tour de France last month.

Follow Rogers and other Giant-sponsored athletes as they chase their Olympic dreams in Beijing here at http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-IN/beijing_olympics.