The first day of cycling action at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games ended with Tour de France podium man Remco Evenepoel grabbing the gold in the men’s time trial. Italy’s Filippo Ganna claimed the silver and Wout van Aert rounded out the podium. Like Olivia Baril in the women’s race, Canadian Derek Gee placed 20th.
The Course
The course started at Les Invalides south of the Seine in the 7th arrondissement before an out and back to the east. The finish was at Pont Alexandre III after 32.4 flat kilometres. The time checks were both at Château de Vincennes. After the wet crashes in the women’s race, the men would be particularly attentive.
None of the podium from Tokyo 2020 were racing on Saturday. The favourites were world champion Evenepoel and Ganna. Gee would start midpack among the 34 riders.
Only six days ago he was celebrating his historic Tour de France green jersey, and on Saturday Biniam Girmay was representing Eritrea.
By the time Gee started, Alberto Bettiol had the fast mark at Time Check 1 with 15:11.
Just before Ganna and Evenepoel started, Bettiol set the best time at Pont Alexandre III with 38:06.
Rolling double disc wheels, Wout van Aert was going great guns out on the course, his best Time Check 1 marker 14:38. Another favorite, Briton Josh Tarling, had to change bikes. Magnus Sheffield had a fine start, but like his American compatriots in the women’s race, he was hampered by a crash.
Ganna stopped the clock at Time Check 1 with 14:35, but Evenepoel was 14:28.
After 20 riders, Gee was 10th. Wout van Aert knocked Stefan Bissigger off the hot seat with 36:37. Tarling recovered nicely to grab provisional second. Ganna usurped van Aert’s top spot with 36:27 and soon after Evenepoel finished the course 15 seconds faster.
The road cycling takes a week off before the road races start.
2024 Paris Olympic Games Men’s Time Trial
Gold) Remco Evenepoel (Belgium) 36:12
Silver) Filippo Ganna (Italy) +0:15
Bronze) Wout van Aert (Belgium) +0:25
20) Derek Gee (Canada) +2:16
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