Bookmakers expect GB gold rush on Wednesday

THE Team GB medal machine has been slow getting into gear but bookmakers believe today is the day the hosts make their presence felt.

Cycling and rowing are the key disciplines today with British contenders odds-on to win their events in both sports and bet365 go as big as 16-1 that Britain fail to strike gold.

Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins leads the way in the men's time trial this afternoon  - Britain's cyclists had hoped to have at least one gold in the bag already after Mark Cavendish, hot favourite for Saturday's road race, came a disappointing 29th.

But Britain's biggest hopes are on the water at Eton Dorney. Helen Glover and Heather Stanning are long odds-on for the coxless pairs having set a new Olympic record in their heat, while the men's eight won their repechage to reach today's final and are 3-1 shots.

Hills are betting on how many rowing medals of any colour Britain win on Wednesday and it's just 11-10 they land three.

Bet365 are betting on how many gold medals the British team win and make two their 6-5 favourite.

BetVictor are betting on how many golds Team GB's fab five of Bradley Wiggins, Chris Hoy, Rebecca Adlington, Jessica Ennis and Mo Farah claim. Three is the 7-4 favourite in their long list (none to five) with three or more at 4-11 in the over/under special (15-8 two or fewer).

Hills - GB rowing golds today: 10-3 none, 4-9 one, 7-2 two or more; GB rowing medals today: 7 none or one, 5-6 two, 11-10 three.

Bet365 - GB golds today: 16 none, 5-2 one, 6-5 two, 9-4 three or more.

BetVictor - Team GB fab five (Wiggins, Hoy, Adlington, Ennis and Farah) golds: 7-4 three, 9-4 two, four, 8 one, 12 five, 50 none; over/under 2,5: 4-11 over v 15-8 under; under/exactly/over three: 7-4 exactly three, 7/4 over three, 15-8 under.

Read Wednesday's Racing Post for all the latest Olympics betting news, prices and recommendations, Steve Palmer's previews and selections for the Bridgestone Invitational and Renoe-Tahoe Open and live Champions League football and CB40 cricket match advice