Tarling sees outsider Martinez drop out due to visa issues, and also counts out Van Aert with disc wheels

In addition to the press conference of Remco Evenepoel and Wout van Aert, Thursday, July 25, was also the day that Joshua Tarling made his first appearance. The 20-year-old Brit is the top favorite for the Olympic time trial on Saturday and is brimming with confidence, although the day was overshadowed by bad news concerning the Colombian Daniel Felipe Martinez.

First, let's talk about Tarling, who has emerged as a time trial sensation over the past year and a half. With Filippo Ganna and Evenepoel at the start, it is indeed the youngster who many are predicting to win the gold medal in Paris. At a press conference, Tarling does not shy away from the pressure. "I want to win. In the time trial, it's always about how fast you can go, and as long as I give it my all, I know that will be the result. But I'm starting for the win."

It's not surprising, given that all six of his victories on his palmarès in 2023 and 2024 were in time trials. He is the reigning European and British champion in this discipline and would love to add a gold medal to his collection. "I have no expectations because I can't control anything. Ganna, Remco, Wout... They have all done more impressive things than I have. I fly a bit under the radar, and that's fine. I have trained a lot specifically, but I don't want to think too much about it. Then I get stressed. I don't necessarily love the course, but I don't think it's bad either. It's fast on rolling roads, but the start and finish are bumpy."

"It's a course where you need the watts, and Remco and Ganna are better at that," Tarling tries to deflect the favorite role again. "Aerodynamics will be important," he says, although he does not seem to be a fan of Van Aert's plan to start with two disc wheels. "I wish him good luck. It's smart if he thinks there's something to gain. If he has tested it, he should go for it. I know the first and last five kilometers are bumpy, which is tricky on a disc wheel. I have never ridden with one outside, but I'm sure the corners won't be fun either. Those corners are fast; you really have to give it your all."

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Martinez unable to compete in time trial due to passport issues

Tarling seems to disregard Van Aert's plan to use two disc wheels, and this on the day when he could also dismiss Martinez. The climber from Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe was supposed to start on Saturday, but Antena 2 reports that he is having passport issues. "He ran into problems with his passport when he was trying to leave Colombia for Paris," it reads. The issue involves a visa for Canada, where Martinez hopes to race in the GP Quebec and GP Montreal after the Olympics. The visa was not ready before his departure for Paris, forcing Martinez to stay put. He hopes to still participate in the road race on August 3rd.