We might be seeing the same thing just slightly differently. I think we are starting to see Cav adapt to his new power and weight by going earlier in the sprint because the top end power is not quite where it was (it has to be - his power to weight ratio has changed - he must have lost some muscle mass).

anyone going to the olympic events. i'm off to the road race saturday, probably hampton court or bushy park as i think box hill will be rammed (only the climb is ticketed - the other side is free). also managed to get weds off next week so its down for the tts as well. thats going to be great - can't wait.

normally shy away from replica gear but tempted for a gb cycling top as well

Be careful of the cycle snobs who feel that you have no right to wear a top that has not been 'earned on the road'!

I'd love to get down to London for the cycling but time and money will not allow.

Tips for the Olympics road race then chaps. You'd have to be a nutter to not stick the money on Cav. British cycling on the up and up and he won the test event.

But betting wise he is not worth the money. Short odds, tired team, multiple Box Hill attempts could be one race too far for the Brits so......

Belgium. Tom Boonens odds look tempting at around 20/1. He did miss the Tdf to focus on this race.

Alejandro Valverde at 66/1 on Skybet worth a punt?

I'd say no on Valverde. Too much flat on the way back to London. Maybe if it had been a bit hillier towards the finish. It's going to be a sprinter/rouleur to win in my opinion.

Think I put a couple of quid of LL Sanchez.

Bloody Germans. Still, at least they kept their lead-out fresh for the sprint for 34th place. Yes, I am bitter. Bah.

Was Cavendish our only chance of a medal? If one the other riders had gone with the leading group could they have won?

On that course, Cav was the best chance of a medal and the squad around him picked to deliver him to the Mall for a sprint. If one of the others had gone, then that's one less rider to help deliver Cavendish to that last kilometre. Everything was geared around Cav, and rightly so. It was always going to take the other teams whose best chances were in a sprint to contribute. They didn't - Belgium and Australia because they had other riders up the road in that escape group. Germany basically sabotaged themselves to the point where it seems that denying GB was as good as giving themselves a chance.

Gutted for Spartacus.

Truly awful coverage of the men's road race today. From the commentators terrible pronunciation, to the lack of accurate time gaps. Took away from the spectacle a little bit.