Opportunities abound for Australia in road race

Australia's team director Matt White says all five of his riders, given the right set of circumstances, could win the gold medal on Saturday.

British world champion Mark Cavendish is the favourite for the banner event after  proving his form with three stage wins at the Tour de France.

There is little doubt that the host nation will base its strategy heavily around setting up a bunch sprint finish on The Mall for its sprinter, nicknamed the Manx Missile.

But Australia also has one of the strongest teams, and one, says White, that will look for attacking opportunities throughout the 250km race.

Matt Goss, the 2011 Milan-San Remo winner, is the team's anchor should it come down to a bunch dash, but with national and reigning Milan-San-Remo champion Simon Gerrans, 2011 Tour de France champion Cadel Evans, Michael Rogers, and Stuart O'Grady, the team won't be hamstrung by its options in attack.

"It's a good vibe here ... we definitely have a few options in that five," White said.

"All certainly have the ability to win the Olympic Games in the right environment.

"We have five guys who can cover many, many options in the race."

While Evans is the highest-profile member of the team, he has probably the least chance of winning the road race because the course is not hilly enough for him.

His main Olympic priority will be next Wednesday's time trial.

Gerrans's outlook reflects the collective strategy that the Australians will take into the race.

"In the right situation, if I can get in the right breakaway, get to the finish with an advantage on the peloton and with some guys I think I can beat in a small sprint - yeah, there's no reason I can't win a gold medal," he said.

"But I will say it time and again, in the Australian team we're all in that same situation."

The 250km men's road race starts at 10am on Saturday 28 July (7pm AEST).