Unfortunately, the assistant surgeon missed out.

So while her Australian squad members are taking on the world in China, O'Donnell is setting her sights on a clean sweep in the three-day Australian Cycling Grand Prix in Ballarat - beginning with the Victorian open time trial championship at Learmonth today.

O'Donnell is the reigning champion in the 27km event.

But that title is only the tip of the iceberg for the 34-year-old, who has made circuits in the Ballarat district her own over the past 12 months.

As well as the state time trial title, O'Donnell has also stamped herself as the "Queen of the Mountain" at Buninyong - winning the Victorian road race title at last year's grand prix and even more significantly the Australian Open Road Championship road race in January.

"I am really excited about my prospects this weekend," O'Donnell said. "I'm looking for the perfect hit-out before I leave the country for the world time trial championship in Italy on September 24."

In winning the national road race title, O'Donnell left Beijing Olympians Oenone Wood, Sara Carrigan and Kate Bates in her wake.

The victory earned her a position in an elite Australian squad, which undertook a two-month training camp in Varese, Italy, with the opportunity to gain Olympic selection.

She was overlooked for a Games berth after finishing 16th in a time trial in Switzerland on May 2 in which most of the world's best female cyclists took part.

As defending champion O'Donnell will be last away in today's time trial, which has just 14 riders.

The there is the 33km criterium in Sturt St, Ballarat, tomorrow and Sunday's 82km road race at Buninyong.