For the 2024
Olympic Games, the number of cyclists in men's race was cut down to only 90 riders - to equal the number of starters in women's race. That decision was a bitter pill to swallow especially for the strong traditional countries like Netherlands and Belgium. However no change is planned for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles, is clear from the event programme.
And while Remco Evenepoel benefitted from this freedom to secure an Olympic double, not many shared the excitement. The fact that the major cycling countries were only allowed to take a limited number of riders to the Games led to criticism from, among others,
Wout Poels, who would not make the Dutch selection.