Geraint Thomas is blessed with an enviable talent on a bike, but will be a mere spectator as friends and team-mates Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish seek to create history this summer.
Thomas has committed his focus to a successful defence of his and Great Britain's team pursuit Olympic title at the London Velodrome and this month warmed up nicely with a world record and Track Cycling World Championships gold in Melbourne.
By the start of August's Olympic track programme, the 25-year-old from Cardiff will hope to have seen Wiggins become the first Britain to stand on the Tour de France podium - perhaps even in the race winner's yellow jersey - and Cavendish claim gold in the road race on the opening day of the Games.
Thomas could have been an integral figure in both races, but has opted out in preference for staking a claim for glory in the four-man, four-kilometre team pursuit on the Siberian pine of the Olympic Velodrome on August 2 and 3.
"I just want to give everything for the track," Thomas said. "It's so fast these days you've really got to respect the discipline and give it the time it deserves.
"I just want to get to London knowing I've done the best I can to be at my best there. I don't want to have any doubts in my mind."
Thomas was a key component in the Team Sky squad which helped Wiggins claim victory in the prestigious Paris-Nice stage race last month and in last June's Dauphine Libere.
The Welshman was set to play a pivotal team role in the 2011 Tour, too, but Wiggins crashed out with a broken collarbone. Many observers now believe 2012 could be the Londoner's year - he must do so without lieutenant Thomas, though.
Thomas, who thrived for Team Sky in the 2010 and 2011 Tours, added: "There's always going to be that part of me that wants to do the Tour. I really enjoy the road and miss it, but I'm doing it for the right reasons.
"The Olympics this year is the main goal for me. That's what it's all about."