Road cycling is one of the most eagerly awaited disciplines at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. And the Belgian squad is looking good, with Remco Evenepoel, Wout Van Aert and Lotte Kopecky among the undisputed favourites in the road and time trials.
History of Road Cycling at the Olympic Games
Road cycling made its debut at the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896. However, it was not until the 1936 Games in Berlin that road racing as we know it today took place.
- Early years (1896-1936): At the first Olympic Games of the modern era, cyclists competed in both road and track events. The 1896 road race was an 87km race from Marathon to Athens and back. It was not until 1936 that the format of the current road race was established.
- Post-war period (1948-1984): After the Second World War, road cycling became a regular event at the Olympic Games. The 50s and 60s saw the domination of Italian and French cyclists, with legends such as Fausto Coppi (ITA) and Jacques Anquetil (FRA). The introduction of the team time trial in 1960 added a new dimension to the competition.
- Modern Era (1988-Present): In 1984, the women’s road race was introduced, marking an important step towards gender equality. Since then, road cycling has gone from strength to strength, with increasingly demanding courses. It wasn’t until the 1996 Atlanta Games that the individual time trial was introduced.
Belgian victories and notable performances in the history of road cycling at the Olympic Games
In 1952, Yprois André Noyelle won ahead of his compatriot Robert Grondelaers in the road race held in Helsinki, Finland.
64 years later, Greg Van Avermaet becomes the 2nd Belgian to win gold in the road race. This victory, achieved in Rio in 2016, is one of the greatest successes in the career of ‘Golden Greg’.
Other medals :
- Paris 1924 : Silver medal – Henri Hoevenaers
- Londres 1948 : Bronze medal – Lode Wouters
- Rome 1960 : Bronze medal – Willy Vanden Berghen
- Tokyo 1964 : Bronze medal – Walter Godefroot
- Athènes 2004 : Bronze medal – Axel Merckx
- Tokyo 2020 : Silver medal – Wout van Aert
Since its introduction in 1996, no Belgian has won an Olympic medal in the time trial. We don’t know about you, but at the Maison du cyclisme Liège-Bastogne-Liège, we’re convinced that things will change in 2024…
Since the introduction of women’s road racing in 1984, Belgium has yet to win a single medal. But once again, we’re convinced that this will change in 2024. Right, Lotte?
Belgium’s medal chances for Paris 2024
Road race
The Belgian men’s selection for the road race is impressive and complementary, with Remco Evenepoel, Wout van Aert, Jasper Stuyven and Tiesj Benoot.
With 273 kilometres and 2800 metres of climbing, the course through the streets of Paris should offer no respite to the riders, with a series of short climbs and a technical and demanding final circuit. With only a maximum of 4 riders per nation, this race is likely to be difficult to control.
Remco Evenepoel and Wout van Aert, fresh from the Tour de France, have made Paris 2024 one of their main objectives for the season. With Stuyven and Benoot as luxury team-mates, Remco Evenepoel not afraid to start from a distance and Wout van Aert capable of taking everyone out in a sprint, the chances of winning an Olympic medal look more attainable than ever. They will have to beat the big favourite, Mathieu van der Poel (NED), on a course that suits him perfectly. Mads Pedersen (DNK) Biniam Girmay (ERI), Michael Matthews (AUS), Matteo Jorgenson (USA) and Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe will also be serious medal contenders.
Belgian women’s team, made up of Lotte Kopecky, Julie Van De Velde, Justine Ghekiere and Margot Vanpachtenbeke, will be banking 100% on Lotte Kopecky. The reigning world champion is one of the big favourites for the event. The course of 158 kilometres and 1700 metres of ascent should suit her perfectly, as she is coming off a superb Giro d’Italia. However, she will have to watch out for Demi Vollering (NED), Elisa Longo Borghini (ITA) and Marianne Vos (NED).
Time trial
As far as the timed event is concerned, and for the first time in history, the course will be the same for men and women. A 32.4km course through the streets of Paris with no major difficulties awaits the runners. Beware of the rain that is also forecast, which could reshuffle the cards.
Belgium will field Remco Evenepoel and Wout van Aert. In excellent form, Evenepoel is one of the big favourites, along with Filippo Ganna (ITA) and Joshua Tarling (GBR). These 2 riders have prepared specifically for this event, while Remco Evenepoel is coming off a tiring but highly successful Tour de France.
On the women’s side, a number of runners look likely to go for Olympic gold. These include Demi Vollering (NED), Grace Brown (AUS), Chloé Dygert (USA) and Elisa Longo Borghini (ITA). Unless Lotte Kopecky comes along to spoil the party?
Competition schedule
Here is the road cycling schedule for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games:
- Women’s time trial: Saturday 27 July from 2.30pm
- Men’s time trial: Saturday 27 July from 4.32pm
- Men’s road race: Saturday 03 August from 11am
- Women’s road race: Sunday 04 August from 2pm
Paris 2024 is shaping up to be an unmissable event for cycling fans and Belgian fans alike. With Remco Evenepoel, Wout van Aert and Lotte Kopecky, Belgium has a great chance of shining and coming back with several medals.
