The men’s road race takes place on Saturday and is the longest individual event at the Olympics, at least six hours long. The format, with just 90 entrants, promises a lively race, with many riders left to fend for themselves as the climbs to Montmartre begin. Mathieu van der Poel wants to add Olympic rings to his rainbow ribbons, but many could strike gold in the jousting.
Tadej Pogacar has opted not to compete in Paris after winning the Tour de France, and riders such as Jonas Vingegaard and Primoz Roglic are absent because the course does not suit them or due to injuries. Because of this, the list of favorites to take the medal is reduced to four: Van der Poel himself, Julian Alaphilippe, Remco Evenepoel, and Biniam Girmay, the surprise rider of the last Tour de France.
Julian Alaphilippe (France)
Julian Alaphilippe has not won a major classic or a world title since claiming his second rainbow jersey in 2021, but he will surely be the most motivated rider on the start line at his home Olympics.
The rider opted out of the Tour de France so he could be in top form for the Olympic road race. After a crash at Liège-Bastogne-Liège in 2022, Alaphilippe struggled and turned 32 in June. However, he won a stage at the Giro d’Italia and last week a stage at the Tour de France, so he appears to have regained his top form and his love of racing.
Mathieu van der Poel (Netherlands)
The reigning world champion appears to be the ideal rider for the highly anticipated open race at the Games. Van der Poel opted out of the mountain bike event, so he has just one chance of winning a medal in Paris on his Olympic road race debut. He leads a strong Dutch team of just three riders, which also includes Dylan van Baarle and Daan Hoole.
Last year, he dominated the World Championships in Glasgow and then the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, but he did not perform as well in the Tour de France, failing to win a stage, so he will travel to Paris with doubts about his form and his possibilities.
Remco Evenepoel (Belgium)
Evenepoel leads a strong Belgian team, with Wout Van Aert, Jasper Stuyven, and even Tiesj Benoot as possible medalists. He will surely be at his best after winning a gold medal in the time trial, but he could also be tired.
Internal rivalry could cause problems for the Belgian team again, but Evenepoel and Van Aert seem closer than ever. The long race in Paris could and should allow the Belgians to emerge and become stronger in the final kilometers.
Biniam Girmay (Eritrea)
Girmay is the only Eritrean cyclist in the men’s road race, but he carries the hopes and dreams of the cycling-mad African nation.
The African cyclist struggled in 2023 but has regained excellent form and confidence this summer; his three stage wins and green jersey at the Tour de France make him the logical favorite for the Paris route.
A medal in Paris would be historic; gold would change cycling forever and open the door for many other African cyclists. Girmay, only 24 years old, has never let his rivals intimidate him. He has a strong competitive streak and is not afraid of sprints, remaining calm and composed. He seems like a perfect match for Paris.
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