Brent Bookwalter, who grew up In Rockford, was named to the USA Olympic Cycling team for the team road racing competition. After competing in the grueling Tour de France for the BMC Cycling team, Bookwalter is a longshot to medal in Rio.

Bookwalter, who now calls Ashville, NC home, was named along with BMC teammate Taylor Phinney to compete for Team USA in the Olympic Road Race, which will be one of the first events in Rio, going off at 8:30am Saturday morning, August 6.

Bookwalter will also compete in the Time Trial race on Wednesday, August 10.

Bookwalter just rode over 2000 miles in the Tour de France, but he says that won't be a factor, and my be an advantage.

“It’s a challenge, but in some ways, also a positive scenario. If you look at the pro men’s cycling medals over the past couple of Olympics, all those athlete also rode in the Tour de France,” Bookwalter recently told USA Today.

“It’s a hard to explain phenomenon. You push your body so hard and so deep for three weeks, but after one week, the body starts to compensate, you get overcompensation, and then start to get the benefits. It’s hard to wrap your head around for sure. Mentally it’s maybe harder than physically.”

USA Pro Challenge - Stage 3
Getty Images
loading...

Bookwalter survived a bad crash involving cycling legend Alberto Contador early in the Tour, but gutted out the distance in support of teammate Richie Porte.

The 32 year old Bookwalter considers it an honor to compete in an Olympic event. He recently told the Cycling News, "It is a little bit surreal to be going to the Olympics because the Olympics are one of these ionic events in my mind. From my memory of my childhood, I have watched and have been passionate about them. Now, to realize that I am going and I am going to be part of that center stage and taking part in the racing, is really inspiring and motivating and encouraging. I am trying to let that not detract from my preparation and stay confident in my own preparation. That is something I know has worked for me and that I have developed over the past 10 years in racing professionally.":

Another BMC team member, Tejay Van Garderen, pulled his name from Olympic consideration because of the Zika virus, which threatens the Games. The virus, which can cause birth defects in pregnant women, was the deal breaker as Van Garderen's wife, Jessica is due to give birth later this year.

Amgen Tour of California - Stage 6 - Folsom
Getty Images
loading...

 

 

More From 98.7 WFGR