Trek: Leipheimer Scores Olympic Bronze Medal Aboard Equinox TTX

US National Champion and Trek-sponsored athlete Levi Leipheimer powered his Project One-painted Equinox TTX 9.9 SSL to a Beijing Olympics Bronze medal in Wednesday’s individual time trial. While it wasn’t Gold, Leipheimer was thrilled with the result. “I pictured myself on the top step, but it’s fantastic to win a medal,” said Leipheimer. “You hear people say Gold, Silver, Bronze, it’s all good.”

Switzerland’s Fabian Cancellara lived-up to his billing as the odds-on favorite for Gold, winning the 47km (29.21 mile) race against the clock in a time of 1:02:11, averaging 45.35 km/h (28.12 mph). Sweden’s Gustav Erik Larsson surprised more than a few watchers with what he called “the most beautiful race I have done in my entire life,” posting the fastest time through the final check point, 12.4 km from the finish. In the end, Larsson finished in second place, securing the Silver by some 36 seconds over Leipheimer, but 33 seconds off Cancellara’s Gold-medal pace.

Another pre-race favorite and Trek-sponsored rider, Alberto Contador, started the course impressively, leading the race early on. But the lanky Spanish climber paid for his early effort and struggled during the second half of the race, losing considerable time on the course’s power descent. "I went very hard and I found it more difficult on the downhill sections than I had expected," Contador said after the race. “It’s a circuit for riders who are heavier.” Despite the less-than-ideal course and his personal disappointment, Contador finished a respectable fourth, just nine seconds behind Leipheimer.