Fabian Cancellara, citing mental fatigue, has decided not to defend his world time trial title this year in Varese. The big Swiss engine also has chosen not to ride in the road race. The absence of the world's premiere time trialist in the opens the door for other candidates for victory, and American Levi Leipheimer heads the list of favorites for the race of truth.
Leipheimer blistered the final time trial at the Vuelta a Espana, besting his fellow teammate Alberto Contador and Spaniard Alejandro Valverde. The Santa Rosa, California native has made it no secret that intends to try to win the race against the clock, and he'll be considered the top favorite for gold when the racing starts.
Michael Rogers, former three time world time trial champion, will also be on hand to challenge for the rainbow jersey on behalf of Australia. He had a great ride in Beijing in both the time trial and road race, and has been steadily improving over the final portion of the season. If he can manage to net the win in Varese, his otherwise quiet season will have been considered an overwhelming success.
Sitjn Devolder of Belgium also should be considered for the victory, as the big Belgian engine has all the skill necessary to take top honors. He scored a historic win at the Tour of Flanders by time trialing away from the field, and although he had an off Tour de France, if he is on form he'll notch a top time.
Edvald Boasson Hagen of Norway, though only 21, could provide a major surprise in the time trial as well. The team Columbia rider absolutely tore it up at the recent Tour of Britain, and possesses great form ahead of the 43 kilometer test. He'll go top ten for sure, and with a bit of luck, even higher.
Other riders to watch include British time trial ace David Millar, French time trial champion Sylvain Chavanel, Germany's Tony Martin (only 23 years old), Italy's current national champion and 10 year veteran Marco Pinotti. Kim Kirchin of Luxembourg can ride against the clock, as can Spain's Ivan Gutierrez and Slovenia's Janez Brajkovic.
Finally, several controversial riders will be lining up for the time trial. Columbia's former world time trial champion Santiago Botero will hope for another gold after years of dealing with doping allegations, as will the Ukrain's Serhiy Honchar, who was dropped from Bob Stapleton's team Columbia for irregular blood values earlier in the year. Also riding for he gold in Varese will be former Astana strongman Vladimir Gusev. The "Goose" was kicked off the Kazakh team for irregular blood values, and will be keen to prove his doubters wrong on the roads in Varese.
One more wild card in the hunt for the rainbow jersey will be American David Zabriskie. Interviewing skills aside, Zabriskie is a master in racing against the clock, and will be right there when the race is decided. If he has any form left over after a solid second half of the season, DZ should be able to take a top ten placing for America. If he's on a particularly good day, perhaps he and teammate Levi could take two of three podium spots for the race.
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