On Saturday, the road races will commence in Paris. The men will start with 275 km of racing, followed by the women, who will tackle 158 km.
The men’s race begins with a lengthy loop before transitioning to two finishing circuits of 18 km each, including a climb up Montmartre. Although the field is relatively small for an elite event—just 90 riders—it’s packed with top talent. Julian Alaphilippe will be eager to claim victory on home turf, but world champion Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert, and Biniam Girmay could all pose serious threats. Canada’s Derek Gee, a Tour de France standout, and Mike Woods, a Tour stage winner, are also in the mix and could make significant moves if the opportunity arises.
The Olympic road race
On Sunday, the women’s race will follow a similar format. Like the men, the women will start with a longer loop before tackling the Paris finishing circuits. Chloé Dygert, seeking redemption after a bronze medal in the time trial, will face stiff competition from riders like Lotte Kopecky, Lorena Wiebes, and Kasia Niewiadoma. Canada’s Olivia Baril, the national road race champion, and Alison Jackson, the 2023 Paris-Roubaix winner, will be aiming for strong performances on this demanding course.
The Olympic road race stands out from regular pro events by featuring a diverse array of competitors, including continental riders and athletes from smaller cycling nations. Unlike typical pro races dominated by WorldTour teams, the Olympic event includes riders from a broader range of countries, adding a unique global dimension. This mix of talent and varied racing styles, combined with the challenging course, makes the Olympic road race a distinctive and unpredictable highlight in the cycling calendar.
Smaller fields and teams
But with only 89 men and 35 women, the fields are quite small compared to what’s typically seen in the WorldTour and Women’s WorldTour. In the men’s race, for example, 20 of those riders are Continental-level—essentially the Triple-A tier of pro cycling. Continental riders would rarely race 270 km, so their strategies might differ. They might aim for an early breakaway for TV time or ride hard in the first half of the race to support a WorldTour teammate.
The smaller field also means that the regular cycling powerhouses can’t field the same size teams to dominate or control the race. At the world championships, bigger teams can have up to…
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