Eighteen Team Columbia Riders Racing in Beijing

The Giant-sponsored Team Columbia has 18 riders from 12 different nations competing at the Beijing Olympics.

Starting Saturday with the men’s road-race, riders from veteran George Hincapie of the United States to young Gerald Ciolek from Germany will be competing in various cycling events. Some, such as Bradley Wiggins of Great Britain and Judith Arndt of Germany, are already medal winners in the Olympics, while others including Michael Barry - a participant in the 1996 Games in Atlanta - will be racing in their third Olympics in 12 years. Others, like Edvald Boassen Hagen of Norway, are taking part in their first Olympic Games.

Of the 18 Columbia riders, there will be three each racing for Australia, Great Britain and Germany, with the other nine representing Belarus, Canada, Denmark, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden and the USA respectively.

“To have so many riders representing their countries at the Olympics, a showcase event, is truly exceptional for Team Columbia. It’s actually made it a little tricky finding riders for all the usual competitions.” commented team owner Bob Stapleton.

“Columbia is a team with a real international flavor. The high level of participation at the Olympics is both a reflection on that and the depth of widespread, upcoming talent within our team.”

Olympic Games 2008: Columbia riders

Australia: Michael Rogers (Road), Kate Bates (Road), Oenone Wood (Road)
Belarus: Konstantin Sivtsov (Road)
Canada: Michael Barry (Road)
Denmark: Linda Villumsen (Road)
Germany: Gerald Ciolek (Road), Bert Grabsch (Road), Judith Arndt (Road)
Great Britain: Mark Cavendish (Track), Roger Hammond (Road), Bradley Wiggins (Track)
Luxembourg: Kim Kirchen (Road)
Netherlands: Chantal Beltman (Road)
New Zealand: Greg Henderson (Track)
Norway: Edvald Boasson Hagen (Road)
Sweden: Thomas Lovkvist (Road)
USA: George Hincapie (Road)