Spartacus returns to Olympic glory as Dennis' podium chance snaps

On the eve of his retirement, TT specialist Fabian Cancellara returned to Olympic glory with a win over Tom Dumoulin (Netherlands) and 2016 Tour de France champion Chris Froome (UK) in the men's time trial in Rio. Australia's Rohan Dennis led the race until his handlebars snapped, costing him a medal.

Switzerland's Fabian Cancellara cycles during the Men's Individual Time Trial event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro on August 10 (Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

"Spartacus" posted a time of one hour, 12 minutes and 15 seconds on the challenging 54.5km course returning to the podium for the first time since the 2008 Beijing Olympics where he won time trial gold and silver in the road race. 

The Swiss rouleur clocked the fastest time at each check point bar the second which Dennis claimed. While Cancellara has not triumphed over big TT stars like Dumoulin this year, he has won five times against the clock. 

Cancellara sobbed on the hot banana lounge as Froome crossed the line last, with the third fastest time. He exchanged his tears for some jumping for joy at the medal ceremony. 

"This was the last time for me to try to win an Olympic medal. It means so much to me," he said. 

"To leave the sport at the end of this season with the gold medal is just a perfect way to end my career. It was a big scream on the podium."

Spartacus clearly happy with his TT win at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games (Getty) Source: Getty Images

Second last over the line but finishing with silver, Dumoulin lay on his back on the ground in disappointment post race.

"I had one goal today, and that was gold. So to not win it is a disappointment," he said. "But to reach the Olympic podium is something special, especially after the injury I had at the Tour de France."

Overcoming injury was not the only feat Dumoulin achieved. His silver was the first Dutch medal in an Olympic men's time trial. 

Froome was satisifed finishing one minute and two seconds behind Cancellara.

"I'm chuffed (pleased) to win another Olympic (bronze) medal," Froome said. "I gave it everything I had out there today, but Fabian was unbeatable."

Handle bar heartbreak

Australia's Rohan Dennis (Getty) Source: Getty Images

Eighth last out on the road before Cancellara reached the first check point, Australia's Rohan Dennis recorded the fastest time at each of the first three markers and was leading Dumoulin and and at that point, the race. 

But he suffered a mechanical, snapping his TT handlebars. While the bike change was one of the smoothest and fastest ever seen in racing, it still cost him time and affected his rhythm.

After the race, Dennis explained what happened to his handlebars and was quite philosophical about his fifth place behind Spaniard (Jonathan Castrovejo.  

"I just pulled on the handlebars a bit too hard and the roads were a bit bumpy in some sections which didn't help and just snapped the extension. 

"I would've at best got second. I was 15 seconds up on Dumouline before the mechanical. These things happen. In four years I hope i don't have the same issue.

"I know I went hard. To win you need to throw it all out there. If I don't try, I don't win."