Michel Wuyts: "In such a mini-peloton of 90, the Olympic road race becomes even more food for daredevils"

Chaos is what is expected out of the Olympic Games' road race and the very small number of riders and short teams is part of the reason. Some pundits analyze the big event that is taking place this Saturday with many of the world's best riders but an outcome that can be quite unexpected.

José de Cauwer talked about the climb to Montmartre to Het Nieuwsblad where he thinks the decisive attacks may come: "It can happen here. If you want to ride away solo, it has to happen here. But then you have to start on time on the climb and not wait until the top. It is a race of more than 270 kilometers in warm weather conditions and with a small peloton, so difficult to control. It is a small peloton of 45 real professionals. It will be a special race. It will be very difficult at the end."

The essence of the race comes from it's chaotic structure, very different from a regular race, and the lack of radios as well in the 274-kilometer course that feature plenty small ascents all throughout the day. This rolling terrain may favour a few riders that are not traditionally winners in the spring classics. Michel Wuyts argued for Het Laatste Nieuws: "Evenepoel is also the biggest option for gold on Saturday. Only an anatomical prodigy can win the time trial six days after the Tour. Seven days later, in an optimal phase of supercompensation, he will make men crack on his whee. I've been thinking about the World Championships in Wollongong for days now: finishing third in the time trial after the Vuelta and then making the rest realise that they travelled to Australia in vain". 

"In such a mini-peloton of 90, the Olympic road race becomes even more food for daredevils," the Belgian believes. "The distance of usually 240 km was increased to 273. It will only increase Evenepoel's room to manoeuvre. Who or what can stop Remco?" Mathieu van der Poel is the main rival to the Belgian team but there are plenty contenders; and he argues that trade team teammates could also assist each other when it comes to tactics and some attacks.

"Lidl-Trek is entering six riders in addition to leader Pedersen. But I don't see Mads diving into the Seine with Skujins and Gibbons. A Visma attack is not so utopian. Jorgenson, Van Baarle with Van Aert. Suppose Evenepoel is still riding there with Van der Poel and Pidcock at the wheel. A medal for each. Will he wait for Van Aert or not? It's up to you to judge."