Team CSC-Saxo Bank rider Brad McGee (Australia) fell short in his bid to qualify in the men’s individual pursuit in Friday’s qualifying rounds at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. McGee is a three-time medalist in the four-kilometer event, but had never won Gold. He qualified ninth, just two seconds short of finishing among the top-eight to move onto the next phase of competition.

“That wasn’t the Brad McGee that I expected to see,” he said afterward. “I came in with a good mindset but I just couldn’t make it. At 32, I thought I had good preparation, but maybe it just doesn’t work out anymore.”

McGee will still have a shot at a medal as he takes part in the men’s Team Pursuit competition beginning on Sunday. Four-man teams ride off against each other in qualifying rounds to make it into the final-four slots for a medal. If McGee medals in Beijing, he will become just the third track cyclist in Olympic Games history to win medals in four different Olympic Games.