United States' Presence in the World of Cycling

When Americans think about cycling there is one person who comes to mind, Lance Armstrong. And given that the road race in the Olympics is only two days of competition and awards only three medals, there is much more than cycling on pavement in the Olympics.

Most of that action with cycling in the Olympics takes place on the track. This year that track happens to be inside the Laoshan Velodrome, which is south of the center of Beijing. Despite the lack of coverage and interest of the sport in the States, cycling is popular across the world and several Americans have a shot at winning a medal.

The first big story for the Americans is on the men's side in the individual sprint. If you follow the Olympics even just a little bit, you will hear the name Taylor Phinney guaranteed. Phinney's story is golden for media. He is the son of two former Olympians, the youngest rider to ever compete in an Olympics for the States and he has the talent to snag a medal this year. Also, his father is battling with early-onset Parkinson's, which he was diagnosed with in 2000.

On the women's side, there is Sarah Hammer and Jennie Reed. Hammer retired and watched the 2004 Games on TV but came out of retirement and was the World Champion in the pursuit in 2006 and 2007. She is expected to battle Rebecca Romero, of Great Britain who recently became a track cyclist after being an Olympic rower, for gold this year. Reed is the States' shot at a medal in the women's individual sprint. She is expected to medal and could bring home the gold.

This photo is of American Taylor Phinney, who is the youngest American cyclist to ever compete in the Olympics.