Road cyclist Samuel Sanchez believes Spain, once an average sporting nation, is fast becoming a European sporting superpower.

The 30-year-old sprinter won Spain its first gold medal at the Olympics Saturday, saying Spain is set to achieve unprecedented success in Beijing.

"It is fair to say Spain is going through a golden age right now," Sanchez said after beating Italian one-day race specialist Davide Rebellin and Fabian Cancellara to win the 248km race. "We are at the top of our era, and I see a great generation coming up. I think the Beijing Games will be the most successful one for Spain in Olympic history."

Gold medallist Samuel Sanchez of Spain (C) bites his medal as he stands on the podium with silver medallist Davide Rebellin of Italy (L) and bronze medallist Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland after the men's road cycling competition at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, August 9, 2008. [Agencies]

Spain was ranked No 20 in the Athens medal standings four years ago, totaling three gold medals, 11 silvers and five bronzes.

But Spain is in the middle of probably the most successful three-month period in its sporting history, beginning with cyclist Alberto Contador's Tour of Italy victory at the start of June and ending with Carlos Sastre's Tour de France win last month.

With tennis star Raphael Nadal set be crowned world No 1 next week, Sanchez is confident of the Spanish team's chance to pile up the medals.

"Winning the first gold medal for my country is very, very special for me," Sanchez said. "I want to open the fire for my country, and hopefully we can win more and more medals here in Beijing."

Since Athens 2004 Spain has won 66 medals in World Championships and 114 in European competitions, according to statistics supplied by the country's Department of Sport.

In those four years Nadal has won five Grand Slams, Spanish cyclists have won three of four Tour de France titles and the nation has been crowned European soccer champion, 2006 world basketball champion, 2005 handball champion and 2007 volleyball champ.

Sanchez said it is the government's support that has driven sports to new heights.

"The most encouraging thing is everybody is doing well, not only one or two," he said. "We have superstars in all sports, not only cycling. This is all because the government has been supporting us and providing great backup with athletes behind us.

"We will win more titles in all sports in the future with such great support."

Alejandro Blanco, the Spanish Olympic Committee president, believes the 2008 Olympic team is stronger than the one which earned 11 medals at Sydney 2000 and 19 at Athens 2004.

Emotional win

Sanchez was in tears after his win Saturday.

Racing the toughest Olympic route ever, the sprinter beat a number of elite riders to finish the 248km race in six hours 23 minutes and 49 seconds.

Defending champion Paolo Bettini settled for a disappointing 18th while Australian title favorite Cadal Evans, who has been bothered by knee problems, finished 15th.

Known as one of the best sprinters in international cycling, Sanchez finished seventh in France last month. His career highlight also includes a third-place run at Vuelta a Espana in 2006.

The Spaniard attributed his victory to his teammates: Carlos Sastre, Oscar Freire, Alejandro Valcerde and Alberto Contador.

"I'm a little surprised," he said. "I didn't even think I could be a gold-medal contender, but my team has done a great job.

"All of us have done a lot of preparation and so we came here in great shape.

"We overcame jetlag, humidity and the hot weather to win the gold medal, I am sure I am going to enjoy it later with my teammates."