A Spectacle Every Four Years - A Look at the Paris Olympic Cycling Competition

The Paris Olympics officially kicked off on July 26! Naturally, this international event includes cycling races. The opening event for the cycling discipline was the Women's Road Individual Time Trial, which took place on July 27. Following closely behind, the Men's Road Individual Time Trial will bring the second wave of excitement. Several famous landmarks in Paris have been transformed into competition venues for this Olympics, many of which are steeped in history and showcase the unique Parisian charm. We're here to provide you with a detailed overview of the cycling events, so let's get ready to enjoy the races together!

The cycling events of this year's Paris Olympics kicked off with the Women's ITT (Individual Time Trial) at 14:30 local time on July 27, followed closely by the Men's event, which shares the same route. The total distance is 32.4 km, with an elevation gain of 150 meters.

The 2024 Paris Olympics have begun, and we're excited to see what surprises the cycling events will bring!
The 2024 Paris Olympics have begun, and we're excited to see what surprises the cycling events will bring!
The Men's event features the 2023 ITT World Champion and the 2024 Tour de France GC3 winner, Belgian rider Remco Evenepoel, Hour Record world holder Filippo Ganna, and versatile rider Wout van Aert. The course for this ITT is relatively flat, and although Ganna was expected to shine, it was Remco, with his bold riding style, who ultimately took the gold medal.
Remco Evenepoel successfully won the Olympic ITT gold medal
Remco Evenepoel successfully won the Olympic ITT gold medal
After the time trial, the next event is the Mountain Bike Cross-Country (XCO) race. The course is located at an altitude of 230 meters at an old quarry site in Paris, which is the highest point in the city. The seven-lap race is filled with tough climbs and technical sections, ensuring that the competition will be intense from the start. The choice of line and positioning in the early stages will greatly determine the chances of winning. In the men's race, the dual-discipline rider Tom Pidcock, who excels in both road and mountain biking, successfully defended his title. His victory didn't come easy, as he faced a flat tire crisis but managed a remarkable comeback to win the gold, making the race thrilling to watch. In the women's race, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot took the victory.
Tom Pidcock successfully won the Olympic XCO gold medal
Tom Pidcock successfully won the Olympic XCO gold medal
The most anticipated event in Olympic cycling—the Men's Road Race—will take place on August 3 at 17:00 Taiwan time, with the start and finish lines at the Trocadéro in France. Unlike the Tour de France, which features large teams of six riders per team and hundreds of participants, the Olympic road race is limited to just 90 participants, with a maximum of four riders per team, making it much harder to control the race. The course for this edition differs somewhat from the previous two. The men's race course is more akin to a classic race, with short but constant climbs over the 273 km route, accumulating a total elevation gain of 2,800 meters. The final climb on the Montmartre Hill (Cote de la Butte Montmartre) is not only short and steep but also includes sections of cobblestone. Additionally, the route passes by famous landmarks, including the resting place of the five-time Tour de France champion Jacques Anquetil at Cote de Chateaufort, the velodrome at Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, and finishes at the Pont d'Iena, connecting the Eiffel Tower and Trocadéro. This route offers a mix of challenges and highlights, providing a deeper appreciation of Paris for the spectators.
First Image Description
First Image Description
The course profile for the Men's Road Race in the Olympics, which features a classic race route unlike previous editions.
The course profile for the Men's Road Race in the Olympics, which features a classic race route unlike previous editions.
With Tadej Pogacar withdrawing from the Olympics, the author is placing their bets on Dutch powerhouse Mathieu van der Poel to win the title. With the strength of a world champion wearing the rainbow jersey and the race being on a classic course that suits him, it's exciting to see what he will bring to the table. However, Belgian riders Remco Evenepoel and Wout van Aert, along with French star Julian Alaphilippe, also look formidable. Following the Men's Road Race, the Women's Road Race will take place on August 4, covering 158 kilometers with 1,700 meters of elevation gain. Although it's a shorter version of the men's course, the decisive Montmartre Hill remains. The downhill sections are also expected to be a major focus during pre-race reconnaissance. Let's see how it all unfolds on the weekend of August 3 and 4 in an atmosphere of electrifying excitement!
Bike Phone Mount 5 Pro
The course profile for the Women's Road Race in the Olympics, a condensed version of the men's course, but still featuring the decisive final climb.
The course profile for the Women's Road Race in the Olympics, a condensed version of the men's course, but still featuring the decisive final climb.
Is that the end of the cycling events after the road races? Of course not! The next events are the less mainstream BMX and Track Cycling (including Sprint, Pursuit, and Madison). Interested fans can still witness the athletes giving their all on the track. For an even more immersive experience, the author suggests that during the competition period, you can go out for a personal practice session, take on new challenges, and use Bunker's Bike Tie 5 Pro attached to your handlebars. Connect your phone to ZWIFT and enjoy the Olympics on a big screen while working out at home, enhancing your Olympic viewing experience!
Bike Tie 5 / 5 Pro
Bike Tie 5
BBike Tie 5 Pro
Bike Tie 5 Pro
Get ready with Bunker, bring your passion and cheers, and join fellow cycling enthusiasts in rooting for your favorite athletes, all while enjoying the exhilarating atmosphere that the Olympics brings!

Bone Talk
Receive exclusive news, updates & more.

Please enter a valid email address.