With the Olympics just around the corner, excitement is beginning to build as our British heroes arrive in Rio to begin their preparations for the next three weeks of competition.
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The first cycling event of this year's games starts as early as Saturday, 6th August, so we won't have to wait long until we see the likes of Chris Froome, Alejandro Valverde and Vincenzo Nibali fighting it out to be crowned Olympic Champion in what seems to be the most open race for the past few editions.
The Women's Road Race will be the next event, featuring on the Sunday, followed by the Men's and Women's Time Trials scheduled for the following Wednesday, the 10th August.
Therefore with an abundance of events, comes a whole lot of favourites and top tips for each race, as well as a couple of outsiders...
This year's edition of the Men's Road Race has been described by many as the most open for years, and with a route that promotes attacking and aggressive racing, it's no surprise that there will be many riders who could claim victory here.
The route is a 'classics' kind of race, showcasing Rio's picturesque surroundings, including the famous Copacabana beach.
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Due to the nature of the route, the finish will likely be contested from a small breakaway group, or either won solo.
Riders best suited for these kind of races include the likes of Valverde and Nibali, 5/1 at Coral a and 8/1 at Betway respectively, two strong grand tour riders that also excel at hilly, attacking classic races.
Other riders to keep an eye on would be those that specialise in the Ardennes classics, riders like Julian Alaphilippe, Tim Wellens and Joaquim Rodriguez should also fair well here.
A main outsider for this race, a title attributed to him in most races, is Steve Cummings; a rider who enjoys a very attacking race and enjoys to win alone. He's as high as 70/1 at 10Bet and only 30/1 at Paddypower.
Whilst the Men's race can be described as an open one, the Women's Road Race looks to be set for a two horse race between two titans of the sport, both currently on top form.
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Lizzie Armitstead, winner of the 2014 and 2015 edition of the season long UCI Women's Road World Cup, comes to the race as the main British hopeful to clinch the title of the Women's Road Race, and with the powerhouse Emma Pooley supporting her ambitions, she is a real force to be reckoned with at 5/1 with 10Bet.
The bookies favourite though, is Anna van der Breggen who won this years La Flèche Wallonne, a race very similar race to the Olympic event in Rio. She will be a real contender at 4/1 with Coral.
As stressed before with this years route however; anyone could win, whether solo or by breakaway group.
One of these riders is Holland's Marianne Vos, the winner at London 2012. Whilst she may have not been on top form of late, a rider of her calibre cannot be ignored for this type of grand event.
With Bradley Wiggins absent for this event, the stage is set for a new Men's Time Trial Champion to be crowned, whether this be Tour De France Winner and odds-on bookies favourite Chris Froome or a challenger like Tony Martin depends on how each of them cope with the testing route.
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It's very similar to that of the road race, taking in much of the same idyllic sites and features two hills that will both be traversed twice, making up the exceptionally long 55.56km long time trial course.
So with this route in mind, the main contenders will come from the crop of riders who both excel in time trials, and have a punch when ascending upwards.
Tom Domoulin started the year as one of the main favourites for the Gold, but after a broken arm at the end of this year's Tour De France, a win here looks a doubtful punt at 2/1. Other main contenders include Rohan Dennis and defending time trial world champion, Vasil Kiriyenka, who are 17/2 and 16/1 respectively at Betway.
However, after his Tour heroics, the 5/6 Betfair are offering for Froome to add to his list of victories looks great for an accumulator.
Once again, Anna van der Breggen comes to this event as the favourite at 15/8 with SkyBet. She's been showing strong time trial performances this year, especially on her way to 3rd place in the Women's Giro d'Italia.
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The women will complete a shorter route than the men, completing only one circuit of the Olympic Time Trial route; however this will still provide them with the two gruelling climbs.
Other riders to watch are Kristin Armstrong at 13/2 with 10Bet, who is looking to complete a hat trick of gold medals in this years event; and Linda Villumsen of New Zealand at 4/1 with bet365, the current Women's World Time Trial champion.
Words By: @InsidePeloton96