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From choking smog to intense heat, from torrential rain to high humidity, cyclists at the Beijing Olympics have quickly learned the weather is a barometer of medal chances.

"You cannot breathe. The air is thick and there is smog," said Germany's Stefan Schumacher (pictured), who arrived in Beijing as a favourite in both road cycling events.

"It feels like you are at 3,000 metres because of the air."

Schumacher was among more than a third of the men's field who dropped out of the 245 km (152 mile) road race from the ancient heart of Beijing to the Great Wall on Saturday because they said they could not cope with the heat, humidity and air pollution.

The next day the women faced drenching rain and chilly weather when they raced the circuit between two sections of the Great Wall. They had to survive crashes on slippery roads as they wound their way along the 126 km (78 mile) route.

"If someone asked me if I'd put on a rain jacket in Beijing, I would have laughed at them," said American Christine Thorburn.

The question on the mind of every cyclist after the huge contrast in conditions is what to expect next from China's weather as they prepare to compete in the Olympic time trial events at the Great Wall on Wednesday.

The women go first, racing one lap of the 23.8 km circuit between the Great Wall's Badaling and Juyongguan sections.

American Kristin Armstrong, the 2006 time trial world champion, is one of the favourites. She raced the course twice before the Olympics and trained on a similar route at home.

Rivals include Marianne Vos of the Netherlands, Judith Arndt of Germany and 2004 Olympic time trial bronze medallist Karen Thurig of Switzerland. Nicole Cooke, who sprinted to a gold in the road race, might also do well.

Swiss Fabian Cancellara is one of the favourites to bring home the gold in the 47.6 km men's race. The men do two laps.

He surprised even himself by winning the bronze on Saturday. "(The road race) normally wasn't my main focus," he said.

Schumacher, American Levi Leipheimer, Australian Cadel Evans and Spaniards Alberto Contador and Samuel Sanchez are also podium contenders. Sanchez was the winner of the men's road race.

Olympic road racing ends on Wednesday with the time trials.

Reuters