Pogacar and Seixas set for 2028 Olympic Games battle? - Organisers confirm spectacular Griffith Observatory finish

The Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games are beginning to sketch the profile of one of cycling’s most anticipated events. The LA28 organisers confirmed on Tuesday that the men’s and women’s road races will finish at a venue of powerful symbolism and sporting demand: Griffith Observatory. This should play into the hands of Tadej Pogacar, Paul Seixas, and Remco Evenepoel.

The news offers a clearer picture of how the Olympic road races will conclude, even if the full courses have not yet been officially unveiled. What is confirmed is that both men and women will roll out from Venice Beach, one of the most iconic spots on LA’s coastline, before heading to Griffith Park, where the medals will be decided.

The choice of the Griffith Observatory is not just about the view. Set on the hills overlooking Los Angeles and encircled by park roads, the site offers ideal terrain to craft a selective finale. The final kilometres will include a climb that could become the race’s decisive point and open gaps among the gold medal favourites.

Although organisers have not released the complete route, the confirmed finish allows a forecast of the rider type most likely to benefit. The ascent to Griffith Observatory adds a layer of difficulty that will likely reduce the chance of a sprint and favour riders who excel in prolonged efforts.

A blend of endurance, climbing ability, and one-day race craft could be the winning profile for Olympic success. It is not only about cresting a final climb, but also about managing a long, demanding day before the decisive kilometres.

LA28 will reveal full route details for the road races at the end of 2026, once planning concludes for all cycling events on the Games programme.

While we wait for the official confirmation, some reports already outline the scale of the challenge. According to Escape Collective, which accessed a leaked document, the men’s race could stretch to 251 kilometres with as much as 5,010 metres of elevation gain.

Given a course like this, certain names are unavoidable. Top of any shortlist is Tadej Pogacar. His ability to dominate both Grand Tours and the Classics would make him a prime contender on a circuit of such physical intensity.

Alongside the Slovenian, Remco Evenepoel stands out as one of the defining riders of recent seasons. His versatility and capacity to sustain high performance over long, hard days could align perfectly with what Los Angeles 2028 is expected to demand.

Among those tipped to benefit from this design is Paul Seixas, another rider who could find a favourable stage to showcase his qualities on this kind of course. The Olympic cycling programme will open with the time trials. Both the men’s and women’s events are scheduled for July 19th, several days before the road races.

In this case, the course will start at the Los Angeles Zoo, within the Griffith Park area, and also finish at Griffith Observatory. One of the city’s most recognisable landmarks will thus become the epicentre of Olympic cycling during the Games. The road races will follow on July 22nd and 23rd, rounding off a week set to gather the world’s best specialists.

Los Angeles will take up the baton from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, which produced memorable performances. In the men’s events, Remco Evenepoel delivered a historic double by claiming gold in both the road race and the time trial.

In the women’s competition, the road race went to Kristen Faulkner, while Grace Brown won the battle against the clock.