5 conclusions from the 2024 Olympic Games - Evenepoel, Van der Poel and more

Monday, 05 August 2024 at 14:00

With the road racing events at the Olympic Games concluded, it is time to take some conclusions over the events that have happened in Paris; from Remco Evenepoel, to Mathieu van der Poel and more.

Below, CiclismoAlDia has analyzed some of the main conclusions from the past week of racing. From the historic double gold medal of Remco Evenepoel to the failure of Mathieu van der Poel and other topics.

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1. Remco Evenepoel can win the Tour de France

If some few still did not consider Remco Evenepoel a world superstar after his historic achievement at these Olympic Games, becoming the first rider of all time to win the gold medals against the clock and on the road in the same edition, the Belgian has already convinced them.

The month of July for the Soudal Quick-Step leader was brilliant. He debuted in the Tour de France, where he finished on the final podium and won a stage; and without hardly any rest he went to the Olympic Games to sweep. There is no doubt that, with this form, in the future Evenepoel can compete against Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard to win the Tour de France. Because his palmarès supports him, and because he is only 24 years old, with a still very high capacity for improvement.

Remco Evenepoel attacks for victory at the Paris Olympic Games. @Sirotti

2. Spain has a structural problem

The results of the men's road race, where none of the three Spanish riders even tried, show that the structural problems of Spanish cycling are not only still present, but are very large and numerous.

Even more so when you have results like that of Mavi Garcia in the women's race, achieving an Olympic diploma (6th) at the age of 40. The talent is there, and no doubt you can fight for medals in the future. But things have to change. It seemed in the race that the strategy was null; that Oier Lazkano, Alex Aranburu and Juan Ayuso were strolling around Paris.

3. Christophe Laporte is always there

At 31 years of age, Christophe Laporte has shown that he is always to be reckoned with in the major one-day races of the season. Whenever he competes, the chance of winning is very high. As the reigning European champion, the Frenchman entered the road race as the main local bet for a medal. Although his teammate Valentin Madouas took silver, Laporte also added bronze for France with an outstanding performance.

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4. The great failure of Mathieu van der Poel

Mathieu van der Poel bet everything on the road race at the Olympic Games. With an already historic track record, the Dutchman wanted to add the gold medal in Paris. To do so, he sacrificed the Mountain Bike race (which Tom Pidcock won in a spectacular competition). An all or nothing that turned out badly for him, because he didn't even get an Olympic diploma, finishing 12th, 1 minute and 49 seconds behind Remco Evenepoel.

Already the Tour de France showed signs that Van der Poel was not in his best form, despite his outstanding first half of 2024, with two more monuments added to his palmares. He did attack in the final circuit, but tactically he was outplayed. We'll see how he responds at the next World Championships, which is his next big goal. But much more was expected from the star of the Netherlands at these Olympic Games.

Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert in Montmartre. @Sirotti

5. Ben Healy is a jewel for cycling

Although he didn't get a medal, Ben Healy tried harder than anyone else. And this is starting to become customary in every race the Irishman competes in. At 23 years of age, Healy is not afraid of anything, and whenever he can he goes on the attack. He is, to say the least, one of the most combative riders in the peloton.

At the Olympic Games he finished 10th, but it was thanks to him that the race started to get going. In fact, the merit is brutal because he came from a Tour de France where he was also out of his depth. Ben Healy is one of those names that all cycling fans like, because he always puts on a show, because he exalts this sport that we love so much. He is that kind of cyclist who wins over the public and, when he wins, you are so happy for him.