The Australian men's team for the Olympic Games road race Saturday is ready to make a challenge for its first male road medal since Clyde Sefton's silver at the 1972 Munich Games. The team of BMC duo of Richie Porte and Rohan Dennis, and Cannondale-Drapac's Simon Clarke have been confirmed for the 241.6km road race along with the intriguing addition of 21-year-old mountain biker Scott Bowden.
All four will be making their Olympic road race debuts with Dennis the only rider with previous Olympic experience after winning silver in the team pursuit at the 2012 London Games.
After his best grand tour result yet, fifth at the Tour de France, Porte had one final hit out at the Clasica San Sebastian before flying to Rio ahead of his Olympics debut where he will lead the Australian quartet.
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"Why not, in the Tour I think I showed I was one of the better riders there," said Porte. "I think coming out of the Tour it is always a hard one, but I think I have done all I can do to get here fit and healthy.
"Fifth in the Tour, the form doesn't evaporate in a few weeks. In San Sebastian it was key for me to get out of it safely, another 220km race in the legs is perfect preparation for this race," Porte added of the Fort Cocacobana to Fort Copacabana course.
The Rio course is being regarded as one of the hardest put forward at an Olympics with the parcours expected to suit the climbers. Porte has medalled on several occasions at the Australian national championships, which is also suited to puncheurs and climbers, and will start the race as the favourites for a medal.
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