Valverde vies for gold

Racing on the toughest courses ever seen at an Olympic Games, Spanish road-cycling ace Alejandro Valverde will look to make up for his disappointment at the Tour de France by taking Olympic gold.

The 28-year-old Valverde finished ninth in France last month, failing to improve on his sixth-place finish last year.

"The Olympic Games is very important on a personal level, as well as for Spain as a team," said Valverde, one of the best climbers in the world. "There is not much time between the Tour de France and the Games, so mental attitude is most important here in Beijing. I think I am mentally well prepared."