Taylor Phinney

Sport: Cycling

Nation: United States of America

DOB: June 27, 1990

Hometown: Boulder, CO

Career Highlights: Phinney is so focused on medaling in London that he decided to bypass this year's Tour de France in order to continue his training for the Olympics. After finishing seventh in track's individual pursuit at the 2008 Games, Phinney has transitioned to the road discipline where he is expected to compete in both the time trial and road races in London. "The Olympics have a pretty special place in my heart," said Phinney, the son of Tour de France stage winner and Olympic bronze medalist Davis Phinney and Olympic cycling and speedskating gold medalist Connie Carpenter-Phinney. Though Phinney has the pedigree and the focus to find his way on to the podium in either Olympic race, he faces some stiff competition in both fields that include the Great Britain pair of Bradley Wiggins (time trial) and Mark Cavendish (road race). Teammate Tyler Farrar also is a favorite to medal in the road race. If Phinney is to be a threat in London, he must improve on his performance at the 2011 world championships where he finished 15th in the time trial and 24th in the road race. The former junior world champion made some major progress earlier this season when he won the first stage of the prestigious Giro d'Italia.

Olympic History: 2008