Olympics Rio 2016: Chris Froome fit for time trial after 'burying himself' in road race

The three-time Tour de France champion dug deep to finish in 12th position in Sunday’s gruelling road event, but insists he is fully recovered from the exertion heading into the time trial event that features laps of the same route.

“I buried myself in London four years ago as well,” Froome said. “I was completely spent. And I was fine in the TT a few days later. It should be enough time to recover.”

Froome claimed bronze in London and will be looking to emulate gold medallist Bradley Wiggins feat of Olympic and Tour victories in the same year this time around.

Standing in his way will be time trial specialist Tom Dumoulin, who ducked out of the road race shortly after it start on Sunday.

However, Froome has prepared extensively for the 55km race against the clock and is confident of being able to get his pacing right.

“It is something we have done a lot of work on and it worked really well at the Tour this year,” Froome said. “Ideally we will be able to replicate what we did at the Tour, although it’s a very different type of effort. Almost 60km.

“Obviously the climb is important but there is a lot of flat road in between as well and it could be windy around there. I think it’s all about pace judgment, but I don’t see why I wouldn’t have a good chance of getting a result there.

“It’s supposed to be bad weather as well, so that adds another element to it, especially with that short technical descent.”