The route

The route uses the same Grumari circuit as the road race did, with two climbs for the riders to negotiate.

The men’s race covers two laps of the circuit in all, so four climbs and a total distance of 54.6km.

Up first is the Grumari climb, a 1.2km ascent with an average gradient of seven per cent and pitches as steep as 13 per cent in parts.

After descending that climb, next up is the linger Grota Funda ascent – 2.1km with a more moderate average gradient of 4.5 per cent.

As stated, the men will take on the circuit twice with uncategorised climbs taking the total ascending to 7.4km per lap.

Tom Dumoulin (Netherlands)

After following up victory in the first time trial of this year’s Tour de France with a second place in the second of the two races against the clock, Dumoulin was a big favourite for Rio.

Just 24 hours later, and his Olympic dream lay in tatters after the Dutchman suffered an innocuous crash at the back of the bunch and fractured his wrist.

Dumoulin has fought back, however, and was back on his bike just days later to revive hopes of a Dutch gold medal.

The course is well suited to him, and his ability against the clock – with time trial stage wins at all three Grand Tours – is undoubted.

His medal hopes, however, will rest solely on how well he has recovered from injury – he dropped out of the Rio road race after just a few kilometres in order to rest up, so he has given himself every chance.

Ion Izagirre (Spain)

Another Tour de France stage winner set for the Olympic time trial, Ion Izagirre’s victory at the Tour came from the breakaway but he is national champion against the clock.

Two top-ten finishes in the time trials at the Tour, in the skinsuit of national champion, showed some form – though were undoubtedly affected by his efforts supporting his GC-chasing team-mates in the mountains.

Prior to the Tour, Izagirre also won in Davos on an undulating 16.8km route at the Tour de Suisse so the form is definitely there.

Despite being Spanish champion, and a multiple stage winner against the clock, he is being overlooked by many as a contender but a medal is well within his grasp.

Vasil Kiryienka (Belarus)

His form against the clock in 2016 may be nothing to shout about, but world champion Vasil Kiryienka has not been wearing the rainbow bands for nothing.

Belarus’ flag bearer at the Olympic opening ceremony, Kiryienka has been handicapped by his work for others – notably going easy in the two Tour de France time trials as he supported Chris Froome to overall victory.

But the Team Sky rider can climb, and he can certainly time trial, so there is no reason – if he has the legs – that he couldn’t be in with a shot at a medal.

Kiryienka has proved before he tends to save his best performances in the time trial for the world championships, so it’s not out of the question he has kept something up his sleeve for the Olympics this year instead.

Fabian Cancellara (Switzerland)

Realistically the route for the Rio 2016 men’s time trial rules out the likes of 2008 champion Fabian Cancellara but never say never.

At the Giro d’Italia, Cancellara was fourth in Chianti on an undulating – though not quite as hilly as Rio – course, and his career is packed full of victories against the clock.

Rio 2016 marks Cancellara’s last Olympics, and he has invested plenty in them – dropping out before the final Tour de France time trial in order to prep for the Games.

Cancellara has proved with his multiple victories at the Tour of Flanders that short, steep climbs are nothing he can’t cope with – even excel on.

The 35-year-old retires from professional cycling at the end of the season, and one final hurrah is certainly not of the question.

But three world titles, and a silver medal at the Olympics four years ago are evidence of what he can do on his day.

The climb-heavy route is less suited to Martin than the likes of Froome and Dumoulin but Martin’s phenomenal engine means you can never confidently count him out.