Since the emergence of world time trial champion Tony Martin, Bert Grabsch has taken a bit of a back seat in German time trialing. But both Martin and Grabsch are set to represent Germany in the Olympic time trial on Wednesday, and Grabsch believes he could be ready to surprise the cycling world.
The London TT course spans 44 kilometres on a flat and fast circuit with relatively low technicality. In 2008, Grabsch rode to the World Time Trial Championship in Varese, Italy on a 43.7km course of similar style. Switzerland’s Fabian Cancellara did not ride that year, but Grabsch’s ability should not be undersold.
The German favours a large gear and long, flat sections, and could be at home in London.
“I’m always good for a surprise,” Grabsch quipped to Radsport News.
The 37-year-old has had a quiet but busy season. Utilized in recent years as a kilometre-eater on the front of the peloton for long, flat stretches of big races, Grabsch has completed Tirreno-Adriatico, the Tours of Romandie and California, the Critérium du Dauphiné, and the Tour de France in his first season with Omega Pharma-Quick Step.
He was 18th in the final time trial of the Tour into Chartres, following a runner-up finish in the German national time trial, behind Martin.
Grabsch was present in the road race in London, helping Great Britain at times in the peloton in support of German sprinter André Greipel.
“Saturday went very well for me,” Grabsch continued. “I feel good. I want to enjoy the Olympic time trial. I will hope to ride fast.”
Grabsch has previous Olympic experience to draw on – in the same year he was world champion, he finished the Beijing time trial in 13th place.