Alex Dowsett hopes to beat Chris Froome to GB's only time trial place at Rio 2016
Movistar's Alex Dowsett hopes to use the Giro d'Italia time trials to give the Great Britain selectors a dilemma ahead of the Rio Olympics
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

While everybody is wondering whether Chris Froome can do the treble of Tour de France, Olympic time trial and road race, Alex Dowsett is harbouring desires to derail the Team Sky rider's plans.
Great Britain can only select one rider for the time trial in Rio this August, after both Dowsett and Steve Cummings failed to finish in the top-10 at the World Championships in Richmond.
Froome is the clear favourite to gain that one berth given the hilly nature of the time trial course in Rio, but Dowsett isn't giving up hope of dethroning him before the Games.
How to beat long time trials
"It will be super-difficult to get picked for the Olympics," he told Sky Sports at the Dubai Tour. "Of course, I'm not ruling it out, but I really have to pull everything out of the bag to even be in the mix for selection.
"That is why I have asked Movistar if I can do the Giro this year, because I feel if I can do what I did in 2013 and win the long time trial there, and perhaps be competitive in the 10km prologue also, then that should give the selection committee a few headaches.
"The long time trial seems to be up my street. I'll head out beforehand and recce it, for sure."
At the Giro he could come up against Tom Dumoulin, who Dowsett believes will be favourite for the undulating Rio race. The Giro features three individual time trials: a 10km test on stage one, a rolling 40.4km one on stage nine and then a mountain trial up Alpe di Siusi on stage 15 - the last two occurring before rest days.
Movistar's team leader for the Italian Grand Tour is likely to be Alejandro Valverde, who will target the road race at the Olympics.
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.
-
-
'We can't get enough high-end road and gravel bikes,' says Sigma Sports founder
Market demand remains strong for premium bikes and e-bikes, according to retailer
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Five dark horses for the men's Tour of Flanders 2023
Outside bets who could spring a surprise in 'De Ronde'
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'Rough day' for Chris Froome after crash and punctures kill best chance of victory since 2018
The 37-year-old was up the road in a solo move for over 50km at the Tour du Rwanda on Thursday
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Chris Froome highlights dangers of long Covid after battle with virus
Four-time Tour de France champion warns of cardiovascular impact and says his VO2 max took a hit after illness
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Chris Froome labels WorldTour relegation a ‘death sentence for many teams’
Four-time Tour de France winner says UCI points system needs overhaul as Israel-PremierTech face relegation from the WorldTour
By Tom Thewlis • Last updated
-
Chris Froome still holds out hope for fifth Tour de France win
Israel-Premier Tech rider says the dream is "always there"
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Changing of the guard: Seven top cyclists who have retired in 2022
Vincenzo Nibali, Alejandro Valverde and Tom Dumoulin have all called time on their careers this year
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Facing retirement, Alex Dowsett is keeping his options well and truly open
33-year-old Israel-Premier Tech rider says reaction to his retirement has been 'exciting'
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Alex Dowsett to retire from professional cycling
33-year-old Israel-Premier Tech rider says his future is still going to be on two wheels, just not in WorldTour
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Chris Froome out of Tour de France after positive Covid-19 test result
Four-time winner and third on Alpe d’Huez stage forced to abandon on stage 18
By Tom Thewlis • Published