Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland celebrates winning the gold medal in the men's time trial cycling competition during the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 13, 2008.  [Agencies]

BEIJING -- Swissman Fabian Cancellara won the men's time trial at the Beijing Olympic Games here on Wednesday.

Dubbed as "Spartacus", the two-time defending world champion has demonstrated his fitness and endurance in the hilly Beijing course by taking the bronze medal of the men's road race.

The Swiss man clocked one hour, two minutes and 11.43 seconds to grab the gold, while Gustav Larsson of Sweden claimed the silver in 1:02:44.79.

The bronze medal went to Levi Leipheimer of the United States in 1:03:21.11.

Spain's Alberto Contador placed fourth in 1:03:29.51 and Samuel Sanchez, the gold medallist of men's road race last week, got the sixth place in 1:04:37.24.

As the highest placed rider from Athens to contest this year's Games, Michael Rogers of Australia finished only eighth in 1:04:46. 85. His teammate Cadel Evans, who just recovered from a knee injury, placed fifth in 1:03:34.97.

The men's time trial, which features a climb and a descent just beneath the Great Wall, has a course of 47.3 kilometers.

Thirty-nine cyclists from 28 countries and regions competed in the race.