The Paris 2024 Olympic Games are here, and obviously our main focus will be on the road and track cycling events. Probably the most anticipated will be the men's road race, to be held on August 3, where many of the top names in the peloton will be competing.
Although the time trial on July 27 will also be very interesting, the event will see the likes of Mathieu van der Poel, Remco Evenepoel and Wout van Aert, among others competing for Olympic Gold. For these and many other reasons, our colleagues at Ciclismoaldia have given 4 reasons why you can't miss the Paris 2024 Olympic Games road race.
1. The quality startlist
Seeing stars of the quality of Van der Poel, Van Aert and Evenepoel, as well as others like Julian Alaphilippe, Tom Pidcock, Michael Matthews, Santiago Buitrago, Daniel Martinez, Derek Gee, Jhonatan Narvaez, Christophe Laporte, Ben Healy, Filippo Ganna, Rui Costa or Matej Mohoric, the field is stacked in the fight for a new Olympic champion.
2. A spectacular course
The route of the men's road race will be 273 kilometres without any flat for the cyclists. A leg-breaking route that will give no respite, with constant up and down sections. All the cyclists who have already spoken about the race have done so with great respect, like Spanish hopeful Oier Lazkano who, in the previous press conference, said that the race is going to be "very chaotic".
Profile of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games road race.
3. A new Olympic Champion guaranteed
After the controversial non-election of Richard Carapaz for Ecuador's representative (Jhonatan Narváez will have that honour) there will be a new Olympic gold medallist guaranteed.
- Tokyo 2020: Richard Carapaz
- Rio 2016: Greg van Avermaet
- London 2012: Alexandr Vinokurov
- Beijing 2008: Samuel Sánchez
- Athens 2004: Paolo Bettini
- Sydney 2000: Jan Ullrich
4. A new battle Mathieu van der Poel vs. Wout van Aert
Another compelling reason will be to see the new chapter of one of the most beautiful rivalries of the present. Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert, multidisciplinary rivals, are two of the favorites to win the gold medal at the Olympic Games. Over the past few years they have nurtured a narrative about each other that makes every duel between the two, especially on the scale of an event like the Olympics, a must-see.
In addition, the Belgian was unable to take part in either the Tour of Flanders or Paris-Roubaix, the two monuments in which he was to beat the Dutchman (who won both), because of his crash in the previous Across Flanders. Eager for "revenge", will Van Aert be able to topple Van der Poel, who is coming off a historic first half of 2024?
Jorge BorregueroWriter
Jorge Borreguero is a journalist with a degree from the Complutense University of Madrid and has been a writer for Cyclinguptodate and Ciclismoaldia since early 2023. In this role, he has played a key part in the evolution of the website, particularly as a specialist covering Movistar Team. He regularly writes race reports, analytical pieces, and in-depth features about the team, and has conducted exclusive interviews and attended multiple team presentations, providing readers with firsthand insights into one of the leading professional cycling squads.
Throughout his career, Jorge has maintained a strong focus on sports journalism, gaining experience across a variety of disciplines, including basketball and football. However, his current work is almost entirely dedicated to cycling, contributing extensively to Ciclismoaldia and its sister website Cyclinguptodate. For these platforms, he combines thorough research with detailed reporting to deliver high-quality content, ranging from race previews and results to expert analysis of teams and riders.
Jorge’s reporting is marked by accuracy, depth, and a commitment to providing readers with reliable and authoritative information. His direct engagement with teams, athletes, and events ensures that his coverage reflects firsthand knowledge and professional insight. Through his work, he has established himself as a trusted voice in professional cycling journalism, bridging the gap between the sport and its global audience while maintaining rigorous editorial standards.
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- for what?frieders311-11-2026
- Blah blah blah!frieders311-11-2026
- Where Merckx just rode every single race he could and won all the time, Hinault won less often (percentage wise) because he was more judicious in what he raced. His palmares are nuts. He had amazing rivals, one to start his career and another to end it in the grand tours. His classics were solid. What sets him apart from Merckx and Pogačar are that he basically dabbled in the classics while the other two love(d) them. I used to compare Pogačar to Hinault for his grand tour record and occasional classics win, until I realized that the comparison was wrong. Pogačar loves the classics - ah, the memory of his reaction to finishing fourth in a 2 person sprint in Flanders in ‘22: utter domination in any one day race since then, even when he doesn’t win. Hinault lived for the grand tours and I don’t think anyone else will ever reach his record. 10 wins in 13 attempts? Good lord. An amazing rider. Wish there was more footage to watch.RidesHills11-11-2026
- I had no idea about that either.
santiagobenites10-11-2026 - great analysis thanks! appreciate you posting this. I didn't realize CX had a different standard for deviation. this is even more egregious it seems.mij10-11-2026
- As he isn't currently with Red Bull, I guess if he want to race for one more year he needs to find a team. He's 37 so this will be his last year I would guess, unless he wants to race for almost nothing like Froome did.awp10-11-2026
- I think some are making much ado about nothing. Even though Jonas is getting older, before his crash in the Tour, he looked like a solid 2nd all the way home. No one can really climb with Tadej until this year, Eric Mas showed himself which I think was a one off year for him and Paul Seixas has been able to be pretty close to him. Whatever stage race Jonas enters as long as Tadej is not there he is a favorite to win.awp10-11-2026
- Giro or not Giro, he won't win the Tour!MajorPayne10-11-2026
- Very true.awp10-11-2026
- Ciccone had a very strong end of season. Consistently attacking and livening up races. Hope he makes that last leap in progress and starts notching some significant wins. Great rider to watch.Occam10-11-2026
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