Creation of Wout van Aert and Remco Evenepoel dummies to help Belgium pursue Olympic gold

Not many cyclists get to see a life-sized replica of themselves, but in 2024 both Wout van Aert and Remco Evenepoel will have one. However they will not be for display, but instead an effort from the Belgian Cycling Federation to pursue gains ahead of the Olympic Games.

It is at best an unusual method set to be tried out for the Belgians, but with a clear objective. Belgian Cycling is collaborating with Bioracer ahead of the Olympics, a different equipment supplier to the one that both riders use throughout their regular season. As they will not race in the Belgian colours throughout the year, but their own equipments, they will have no opportunity to test their gear for the Olympics in a race situation.

However, the pursuit of marginal gains exists. The option was made to create life-sized dummies of both riders, according to Het Laatste Nieuwsm, who are big favourites for both time-trial and road race events, and the staff will be using them so as to test their equipment in the windtunnel - hence not requiring the athletes to spend time away from their original schedule.

This will be a key year for both riders as they aim for gold in Paris, victories that can mark the career of each. Whilst the Team Visma | Lease a Bike is following a specific preparation after his cobbled classics campaign and Giro d'Italia, Remco Evenepoel will be racing following his debut at the Tour de France.