Taylor Phinney chosen for the Olympic Games
Taylor Phinney has noted that his selection for the 2012 Olympic Games is a definite gamble taken by the selectors.
The cyclist has been chosen to represent Team America at the 44 kilometre Individual Time trial event scheduled on August 1st, 2012.
The 21-year-old has filled his bag with two stage victories in the season including a stage each at the Giro d’Italia and the Giro del Tentino 2012.
While commenting at the coming version of the Olympics, Taylor told Cyclingnews, "When it comes down to a selection committee you never really know".
"I was more confident about being part of the road race than about the time trial just because I'm one of the only guys in the US that can help Tyler Farrar in the final," he concluded.
"My confidence and my abilities will grow as the days and the weeks pass by coming up to the Olympics".
“I knew that I had the physical capacity to win that first stage and I did and that's because that's what I trained for and that's what I prepared for”.
Phinney holds three gold, one silver and two bronze medals in his bag and is optimistic to help his side with a much needed victory at the coming event.
The selectors had to choose between Phinney and the five time national champion David Zabriskie for the contest.
David has also won the time trial events during the Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia but the selectors have opted to go with the former U23 time trial champion, Taylor Phinney.
Phinney noted that Brailsford has always been his ideal and has dominated the sport for many years.
He noted that even if the selectors have chosen Zabriskie, he would have definitely supported the decision because there is no question about David’s abilities.
The final list of Men and Women’s squad to represent Team USA at the 2012 Olympic Games is as under,
Men's road cycling:
Timmy Duggan (Liquigas-Cannondale)
Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Barracuda)
Chris Horner (RadioShack-Nissan)
Taylor Phinney (BMC Racing) – road race & time trial
Tejay van Garderen (BMC Racing)
Women's road cycling:
Kristin Armstrong (Exergy TWENTY 12) – road race & time trial
Amber Neben (Specialized-lululemon) – road race & time trial
Shelley Olds (AA Drink - Leontien.nl Cycling Team)
Evelyn Stevens (Specialized-lululemon)
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