Fit-again road cyclist ready to lay down the law

THEY'RE not bred much tougher than cyclists - as Sharon Laws will certainly testify.

Less than two months after breaking her fibula, the 34-year old yesterday declared herself ready for her Olympic debut in this Sunday's women's road race.

"It wasn't easy to get back from it but I'm back now and after so much waiting I can't wait to go and test myself out there," said Laws.

"Although preparations haven't been ideal, I really feel that I'm right back at full fitness now."

Although an individual event, Laws admits her key role will be to do what she can to assist the podium hopes of team leader Nicole Cooke.

Cooke is a genuine gold medal contender, having dominated the women's World Cup circuit in recent years.

She was fifth in Athens but admitted she struggled without a well-drilled team to support her.

"This is arguably the strongest women's road race team we've sent to an Olympics. I know that the girls who went last time had some difficulties but we're confident of bringing home a medal," said Laws.

"We know that sacrifices are going to have to be made on the road race - it's just part of the job really - we are individuals but we have to put the team first.

"Sometimes you have to sacrifice personal glory for the greater good of team success and we're all 100 per cent committed towards doing that."

While team-mates from other sports have been sweating it out at the Team GB training camp in Macau, Laws has prepared for this Sunday's 46-mile race by spending long stints in a heat chamber at the national cycling centre in Wales.

The route starts in Ancient Beijing, passes Tian'anmen Square and the Forbidden City, and concludes by the Great Wall of China.

However, Laws will have to save sightseeing for later.

"The course in Beijing certainly suits this team - we're all good climbers and there are some long up-hill slogs so hopefully we can use that to our advantage against some of our rivals," adds Laws, who is joined by Emma Pooley in the three-woman squad.

"There are a lot of strong teams out there and it's going to be down to us to raise our game to match them.

"The Americans are very strong and pose a formidable challenge - some of the Dutch women are very tough competitors as well.

Two of the Swedes - Susanne Ljungskog and Emma Johansson - are very good as well - Ljungskog is riding like a bat out of hell at the moment - I hope she slows down a bit!"

British coach Dave Brailsford certainly shares Laws confidence in British medal hopes.

"Last time around Nicole was pretty much on her own but Sharon and Emma are great riders and they've really strengthened our team," he said.

"It won't be easy though. We went out training on the road course yesterday, there is about a 28-minute climb which is a significant test for a road course."

Brailsford also insists Laws and her team-mates couldn't be better prepared should the smoggy conditions not lift by Sunday.

"If it happens, it will be the same for everyone and I don't think there is a team that is better prepared for it than us," he added.

"We have done all the scientific testing we can do and have our protections in place and hopefully that will see us right."

JAMES TONEY and MATTHEW DAVIS in Beijing