Britain awaits miracle from Obree
Britain's world champion pursuit rider Graeme Obree may need a minor miracle if he is to win the Olympic title after an appalling World Cup ride last month, according to a leading teammate.
Chris Boardman, who won Britain's first Olympic cycling gold for 72 years when he won the 4,000 metres individual pursuit in Barcelona, was so alarmed by Obree's poor form he offered to step in only 72 hours after completing a punishing Tour de France.
Obree, the world record holder who rode to fame in track cycling on a home-made bike made from washing machine parts, was 15 seconds off the pace in the final World Cup 4,000 meters individual pursuit last month, but Britain has stuck with him.
"The British Cycling Federation are hoping for a miracle, and knowing Graeme they could get one," said Boardman who contests the Olympic road events.
The qualifying rounds start on Wednesday.
Among Obree's serious challengers are Italian Andrea Collinelli who lost last year's world final to the Briton in Bogota, Colombia, and Australian Stuart O'Grady and Frenchman Philippe Ermenault.
Obree has always been full of surprises, producing world records and titles with his home-made bike since bursting on the world scene three years ago when he broke the world hour record of legendary Belgian Eddy Merckx.
He now has an $18,000 factory-made bike, but the Americans hope to win the battle for technical supremacy with their new narrow-profile bikes.
The first track gold, like the first road cycling gold, could go to France in the the one kilometer time trial, the only final of the day.
Florian Rousseau with two golds and a silver from the last three world kilometre time trial championships has to stop current world champion Shane Kelly of Australia.
Australia again will be the force to beat in the men's sprint which also opens on Wednesday with world champion Darryn Hill facing tough opponents in Canadian Curt Harnett and American Marty Nothstein.
France will be chasing more gold in the women's sprint where world champion Felicia Ballanger will be trying to end Erika Salumae's Olympic reign.
The Estonian has won gold at the past two Olympics.
This story written by Reuters correspondents
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