Britain?s Steve Cummings started well in the men?s time trial, but faded on the second lap.
After a disappointing ride in Saturday?s road race, Cummings wanted to make up for it in the time trial. He?d come to Beijing with good form, having finished second in the Tour of Denmark, thanks to his performance in the time trial. He also came eighth in the final time trial of the Giro d?Italia.
Cummings stayed on the finishing line of the time trial for a long time after he finished. The heat had taken its toll, and his face was almost as pale as his white GB skinsuit.
But Cummings was satisfied with his ride.
?I was better prepared today,? he said.
?We took a lot of precautions to cool me down at the start. At the road race, the first time up the climb I felt like I was in an oven, and I was flat out before they even started racing. Today was better, because the team helped me prepare and cope better with the conditions.?
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Cummings? intermediate split at the end of the first lap stood for a long time, until the really big hitters got on the course. But it was on the second lap where he lost a big chunk of time.
?I paid a bit of a price on the second lap. I overheated again,? admitted Cummings.
?I did my best. That's all I had. I felt good at the bottom of the second climb, then halfway up I seemed to die a bit. I ran out of legs.?
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Edward Pickering is a writer and journalist, editor of Pro Cycling and previous deputy editor of Cycle Sport. As well as contributing to Cycling Weekly, he has also written for the likes of the New York Times. His book, The Race Against Time, saw him shortlisted for Best New Writer at the British Sports Book Awards. A self-confessed 'fair weather cyclist', Pickering also enjoys running.
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