The Olympics are well underway! The time trials opened up the cycling competition in Paris, but the road races will take place on the weekend.
The men will race first, on Saturday, August 3. They will race 273 km, beginning with a long loop that takes them to two finishing circuits of 18 km each. Those circuits will also involve climbing up Montmartre.
The field is small for an elite race—just 90 men, but stacked with some big names. Julian Alaphilippe would undoubtedly love to win at home, but look out for world champion Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert, or Biniam Girmay to spoil the party. Canada has Tour de France star Derek Gee and Tour de France stage-winner Mike Woods. Both Canucks could pull off a big result if they make the right move.
The women will race the following day, on Sunday, August 4. Like the men, the 35 women will do a longer loop to begin before the finishing circuits in Paris, with a total distance of 158 km. Chloé Dygert may look to avenge her bronze in the TT, but she’ll face plenty of opposition with riders like Lotte Kopecky, Lorena Wiebes, and Kasia Niewiadoma. Canada has two entrants: national road race champion Olivia Baril and 2023 Paris-Roubaix winner Alison Jackson. The tough course suits both riders, and we could see a big day for the Canadian women.
CBC is broadcasting both road races. All times below are listed in EDT.
Canadian Cycling Magazine will also have reports from Paris, so be sure to check our Olympic section on the website, as well as our Instagram account for photos and videos from the races.
Here is the men’s start list for Saturday.
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Here is the women’s start list for Sunday.
Data powered by FirstCycling.com
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