KEY POINTS:
Bubbling away beneath the headlines, three of New Zealand's strongest podium contenders could yet surprise and take gold, write David Leggat and Eugene Bingham in Beijing.
George Bridgewater and Nathan Twaddle
Rowing, coxless pair
David Leggat: In Athens four years ago, Bridgewater and Twaddle finished a close fourth. They determined then to make amends. The following year they won the world title, and have picked up silver in each of the last two years, both times pipped by Australians Drew Ginn and Duncan Free.
Bridgewater, from Wellington, and Hamilton-born, Auckland oarsman Twaddle won their heat emphatically and while some of their squad mates battled to make it to tomorrow's final, they advanced in impressive style, finishing second in their semifinal.
They are in good shape and are armed with the ability to roar home over the final 500m.
Bridgewater, at 25, is a giant in his rowing prime; Twaddle is 31 and might be coming towards the end of his career at elite level. They have a massive motivation to succeed tomorrow.
Their problem, as it has been for the last couple of years, are the Australian pair.
Ginn and Free are outstanding competitors. Ginn won the pairs gold in Athens, and since linking with Free, has won the last two world crowns.
They seem to possess an innate sense of when the challengers are making their move and work to counteract it.
Canadians Scott Frandsen and David Calder shaded the New Zealanders in their semifinal and won the World Cup regatta at Lucerne in June, when Ginn and Free were third. The Australasians were just starting their European campaign then, but that's not to detract from the Canadians who should be respected.
But it's the Aussies Bridgewater and Twaddle will have in the front of their minds tomorrow.
Greg Henderson
Cycling, points race
Eugene Bingham: There are few better characters in the New Zealand team than Greg Henderson.
Amiable, down to earth, and always good for a quote, the Dunedin-born cyclist has been there, done that. Well, almost. He's been a world champion (in the scratch race, 2004), a Commonwealth champion (in the points race, 2002), and has won eight World Cup events. Throw in a fourth in the points race in Athens and a fifth at the world championships this year, and you can see his CV reads pretty damn good.
Henderson, 32, would dearly love to snatch a podium finish in Beijing, a perfect way to mark his fourth Olympics and a brilliant wedding present for his soon-to-be wife, Australian track cyclist Katie Mactier.
He aptly describes the points race as "chess on wheels". Riders circle the track 160 times, a total of 40km, fighting for sprint points throughout the race. Competitors watch one another to make sure their opponents don't get away from them to sneak a lap ahead. It will be difficult for Henderson to do that because he has become a marked man in the event.
Others being watched will be Russian Mikhail Ignatyev, the defending Olympic champion, and Australian Cameron Meyer, the world's number-one-ranked points race rider this year.
Henderson was released early from his pro outfit Team Columbia to give him enough time to train specifically for his Olympic track programme and has warned his opponents he has prepared better than he ever has before. And given he's a man who doesn't mince words, that's a warning worth listening to.
Hayden Roulston
Cycling, 4000m individual pursuit
Eugene Bingham: It would take a brave person to bet against Hayden Roulston. The guy has got heart. And that is not some cute reference to the heart problem which threatened to end his cycling career less than two years ago. It's a reference to his determination, guts and ability to turn up at big events and perform.
In Manchester at the world championships this year, he smashed the national record and finished fourth.
Other riders talk about Roulston's raw talent and ability to train better and harder than anyone else. Combined with his mental ability to focus and dig deep when he needs to, it will make him a medal contender.
Since his heart scare, the 27-year-old had become a devotee of the Japanese healing technique reiki which he believes has helped him become not only healthier, but more balanced and emotionally and mentally stable. These changes in his life, he believes, have made him better able to prepare for his races and concentrate during events.
The outright favourite for the event is Briton Bradley Wiggins who has dominated pursuiting since 2003, claiming three world titles as well as the Athens gold. Wiggins will be aiming to become the first cyclist to win back-to-back individual pursuit titles.
Australian Brad McGee, a three-time Olympic medallist, will be out to finally win gold, while Holland's Jenning Huizenga will be looking to emulate his podium finish at the world championships.
