André Greipel will start the London 2012 Olympic road race among the favourites but the German has, for now at least, missed out on the opportunity to recce the key Box Hill climb after finding the road closed due to resurfacing work.
Greipel forfeited the chance to preview the course under race conditions when he missed the London-Surrey Cycle Classic, won by Mark Cavendish last August, but The Gorrilla travelled to Surrey on Wednesday aiming to ride the 15.5km Box Hill circuit, which the men’s peloton will tackle nine times on Saturday July 28.
“Ready to see the Olympic circuit,” tweeted Greipel as he set out for the ride, posting a picture of himself alongside compatriots John Degenkolb, Danilo Hondo and Marcel Sieberg.
As it turns out, the UK’s fickle weather has ruled against Greipel and co, while the Italian women’s team were also refused access on Tuesday, according to Cycling Weekly. Resurfacing was due to completed on Monday but the recent deluge has put the date back to the end of the week.
“Boxhill closed? Hidden camera somewhere,” tweeted Greipel, with the riders pictured behind a row of cones, a road closed sign and an arrow pointing traffic towards the relevant diversion. Has Dave Brailsford had a word with Surrey County Council?
