Olympic Games 2024 - Everything you need to know
Paris Olympics: Men's Road Race - Preview
Paris 2024 Olympics road race course
Hello and welcome to Cyclingnews' live coverage of the men's road race at the Paris Olympic Games!
Racing for the 90 riders taking part in the quest to succeed Ecuador's Richard Carapaz as Olympic Men's RR Champion will start in about 90 minutes time from the start/finish area of Place du Trocadéro. Carapaz himself is not taking part, with Ecuador represented by his compatriot Jhonatan Narváez.
A wide-open race is predicted and there are plenty of favourites. Stephen Farrand has this report on the latest news from one of the strongest teams, the Belgians.
'A unique opportunity' - Remco Evenepoel and Wout van Aert combine for Belgium in Olympics road race
While we're waiting for the men's race to start, don't forget the Olympic Women's Road Race will take place on Sunday. Laura Weislo has the latest about one leading favourite, Lotte Kopecky:
Paris Olympics: Lotte Kopecky hoping Dutch team will take charge as favourites in women's road race
Here's a first shot of a rider from the startline in central Paris, Julian Alaphilippe (France). Alaf' is going to be one of the key names to follow in today's race.
Just over ten minutes until the racing begins in Paris for the Olympic men's road race.
Sign on has happened. Here are four riders who all have a chance today. Likely with a focus on Olympic time trial gold and bronze medalists, Remco Evenepoel and Wout Van Aert.
The riders are on the start line and are ready to go as Peter Sagan drops the 'brigadier' stick to bring luck on the event.
Neutral start
And the neutralised start begins with this very small peloton in sunny Paris.
No defending champion, Richard Carapaz. The Ecuadorian federation went for Giro d'Italia stage one winner and pink jersey wearer, Jhonatan Narvaez instead of Tour de France stage winner and polka dot jersey winner.
None of the last three Olympic champions are here as 2020 (21) was Carapaz who is heading to La Vuelta later this month. Then, 2016, Greg Van Avermaet retired at the end of last season and 2012 was Alexander Vinokurov who retired quite a while ago now and now runs team Astana Qazaqstan.
272.1km to go
We are racing!
Attack!
Eric Manizabayo (RWA)
Thanakhan Chaiyasombat (THA)
Chrisopher Rougier-Lagane (MAU)
Charles Kagimu (UGA) joins the leaders along with Achraf Ed Doghmy (MOR).
Breakaway
Eric Manizabayo (RWA)
Thanakhan Chaiyasombat (THA)
Chrisopher Rougier-Lagane (MAU)
Charles Kagimu (UGA)
Achraf Ed Doghmy (MOR)
+1'33" between the break and the Denmark led peloton.
What a brilliant view at the start.
Mechanical
Achraf Ed Doghmy (MOR)
All that effort to get into the breakaway and now he is out of the back again as he is unable to fix it with his car behind the peloton and neutral service are not able to help either.
Lots of the big favourites are sitting near the back. Mathieu van der Poel (NED) riding a golden Canyon today. He isn't the only one, though. Pinarello riders have a gold and black frame to ride.
Quick chat with the Dutch national head coach, Koos Moerenhout by Laura Weislo:
Tell me what you think about the race today.
"Interesting, long, quite open." Says Moerenhout. "So I think there are many possibilities for tactics and also different riders maybe you don't expect.
"So we'll see. Yeah, I know with such a small peloton that it's going to be a very different dynamic. Yeah, there are many more possibilities at the start of the race. Let's say it like that. But in the end, I think also the big teams will try to have a focus on each other.
"There might be not that big of a difference, but at one point, for sure, it will, and especially the small size of the peloton, and also, in combination with no communication, basically, is makes it interesting."
Is the final climb steep like in Glasgow's Worlds route last year?
"It's not, I don't think so, but it's the repetition. It's the repetition of the climbs during the day, which will make it hard, compared with the distance 275k it's like monumental so not everybody, is capable of doing that and be as fit in the final as some guys can, or at least prove to be."
It's a hard day... A day for Mathieu van der Poel?
"We'll see you never know. Preparation has been good. He loves this kind of racing and that's good to start with, but in the end, the race has to be ridden. His level is good, but there are more riders whose level are good as well."
The Dutch and Danish riders are riding at a pretty solid tempo at the front of the peloton for Van der Poel and Pedersen. Also, South Africa's Ryan Gibbons is up there too as he is trade teammates with Pedersen so will likely ride for him.
Ed Doghmy (Mor) is just 30 seconds behind the breakaway. The leaders now have over seven minutes on the Danish led pack.
Laura Weislo had a chat with Mads Pedersen before the start today.
Q: What do you think about the course today?
"It's pretty good. The National coach saw it a long time ago, and he thinks it fits me really well, and so do I. So I'm pretty happy with it."
Q: You've got a strong team around you today. Who do you think that you're going to be looking at today in the in the race,
"Mainly we will focus on our own race. I think that's the most important if you, if you look too much at other teams, you will always be one step behind. So we keep our own focus and focusing on racing our race. But of course, the Belgium, Dutchies and Great Britain. And for sure, some smaller teams we have to look out for."
Q:What do you think about this small peloton?
"I think it is what it is. You know, it would have been nice to be eight guys here, of course. But the rules is, it's like it is, and we just get the best out of it."
230km to go
We are well over 200km to the finish. This is the longest ever Olympic road race on what should be a brilliantly exciting course.
Van der Poel (NED) now has moved himself up to fourth wheel in the peloton. He's been all over the peloton so far.
Interestingly, while Denmark do have Mikkel Bjerg working for Mads Pedersen at the front of the peloton. He also has a few of his Lidl-Trek teammates.
Daan Hoole (NED), Ryan Gibbons (RSA) and Jasper Stuyven (BEL) are all up there with their Lidl-Trek leader. This happens in the world championships a lot. So, why not at the Olympics?
Ed Doghmy (MOR) has joined the breakaway once again. Meanwhile, they have lost a minute to the peloton as the gap is now just over six minutes.
Intriguing to see that Slovenia are all up towards the front. They have four riders here. That is the maximum amount of riders. They are Matej Mohorič, Jan Tratnik, Luka Mezgec and Domen Novak.
The latter was a late replacement for Giro and Tour winner, Tadej Pogačar, who decided he was too tired to race. However, his partner Urška Žigart who is the national road and time trial champion, was not picked by the national coach and it is believed that is why Tadej is not here.
The pace is really on behind now as the peloton is in one long line. Now just over five minutes between the break and the peloton.
And the pace completely drops off again. The gap stalls and we have some activity.
Pace has completely gone. Great Britain have all four riders at the front. They are mountain bike gold medalist Tom Pidcock, La Fleche Wallonne winner Stevie Williams, European TT champion Josh Tarling and former British road race champion Fred Wright.
200km to go
Canada's Derek Gee and South Africa's Ryan Gibbons are on the front but they're not pushing on. They all look like they're on a club ride to the local cafe.
Denmark and the Netherlands are no longer interested in working any more and no-one else is willing to work. The breakaway now has 10 minutes gap!
Bike change
Julian Alaphilippe (FRA)
Very calm change as the pace is not working at all.
Attack
Hoole (NED)
Buitrago (COL)
Haller (AUT)
Mullen (IRE)
Novak (SLO)
Syritsa
Vacek (CZE)
Suddenly carnage.
Mechanical
Ed Doghmy (MOR)
He has had no luck since making the break at the start of the day.
Attack
Wright (GBR)
Buitrago (COL)
Madouas (FRA)
Haller (AUT)
Brought back.
Attack
Mullen (IRE)
Viviani (ITA)
Bouglas (GRE)
Syritsa (INA)
And, the peloton sits up!
The breakaway of five riders have +11'00" on the chasing quad and then +14'54" to the peloton. The bunch is now moving again as the chase finally starts yet again.
In fact, Ed Doghmy (MOR) has yet to regain contact with the leaders after his second mechanical of the day. Just no luck for him so far today.
Bike change
Josh Tarling (GBR)
Had a wait a little bit but he is back on the bike again. The cars are a bit far back so that wasn't ideal. He should get back in fine, though.
Bit of cobbled action at the moment for the break and that isn't classic town cobbles. They looked quite meaty. However, they're nothing on Roubaix or Flanders and they are very short lived.
180km to go
The chasers of Syritsa (INA), Mullen (IRE), Viviani (ITA) and Bouglas (GRE) have already taken over four minutes on the leaders.
Belgium join Denmark and the Netherlands on the front of the peloton now. That will suit the bunch a bit more.
Ed Doghmy (MOR) is still just off the back of the breakaway by maybe just five seconds.
Hoole (NED), Benoot (BEL) and Bjerg (DEN) are chasing hard in the peloton now.
Ed Doghmy (MOR) finally makes it back to the breakaway once again.
170km to go
The race has rally settled into the day now and all the messing around looking to see who was going to work in the peloton and it is on. Racing is well and truly on.
Mechanical
Eric Manizabayo (RWA)
The first attacker of today having some issues on his bike.
A first view of the breakaway...
160km to go
Into the final 100 miles as Daan Hoole (NED) continues to stretch things out.
The French have moved up en masse now as well to be in a safer position. They have Julian Alaphilippe, Valentin Madouas, Christophe Laporte and Kevin Vauquelin in the team today.
Proud moment for Intermarche-Wanty today...
🇪🇷🇪🇪 Biniam Girmay and Madis Mihkels are the first ever Intermarché-Wanty riders competing in the Olympic Road Race. We're proud ❤️#Olympics #CyclingRoad #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/Mw4BgEbLGCAugust 3, 2024
Gleb Syritsa (INA) has been dropped by the chasing group. He doesn't deal with the climbs well at all.
Bit of a worry for New Zealand at the moment. Both of their riders, Laurence Pithie and Corbin Strong, are at the back and losing a bit of contact over the top of a small cllimb. Two riders you'd expect to be right up towards the front at the end of today.
140km to go
The break have +3'54" on the three chasers with Syritsa (INA) just behind them. Then, the peloton is at +6'53" from the break. It is all compacting again as the riders head to a big section of short sharp climbs.
Caught
Gleb Syritsa (INA) is brought back by the now flying peloton.
Interesting AI artwork made by the Olympic X page...
The (very) big loop of Paris! 🚴Today, the cyclists will compete on the longest distance ever covered at an Olympic Games. 🚴Who will be the winner at the end of the 273 km route? 🥇See you at the Trocadero at the end of the day!-La (très) grande boucle de Paris ! 🚴Les… pic.twitter.com/lP8IxzFHUOAugust 3, 2024
A shaky moment in the back of the peloton as Abay (TUR), Lau (HGK) and Lyu (CHN) almost having some issues along with others.
130km to go
The three chasers of Bouglas (GRE), Viviani (ITA) and Mullen (IRE) are now within two minutes of the leading group. The peloton are now around four and a half minutes down.
We are now over the halfway mark.
The chasers are now extremely close to the leaders. Inside 20 seconds now.
Chasers catch break
The chasers have caught up with the breakaway and we have a new leading group!
Ryan Mullen (IRE)
Elia Viviani (ITA)
Georgios Bouglas (GRE)
Eric Manizabayo (RWA)
Thanakhan Chaiyasombat (THA)
Chrisopher Rougier-Lagane (MAU)
Charles Kagimu (UGA)
Achraf Ed Doghmy (MOR)
120km to go
The peloton have complete control now. Just +2'49" gap between the break and the peloton.
Crash!
Alex Kirsch (LUX)
Riders were throwing bidons and they were hitting a bank and rolling straight back into the peloton. Likely being the reason the Luxembourg rider went down.
Kagimu (UGA) and Ed Doghmy (MOR) struggling to follow the new pace set by Mullen (IRE) and Viviani (ITA) in the break.
Dropped from break
Eric Manizabayo (RWA)
Thanakhan Chaiyasombat (THA)
Achraf Ed Doghmy (MOR)
Caught by peloton
Eric Manizabayo (RWA)
Thanakhan Chaiyasombat (THA)
Achraf Ed Doghmy (MOR)
Meanwhile, Alex Kirsch (LUX) gets back in after his crash.
Attack in peloton
Domen Novak (SLO)
Mikkel Bjerg (DEN) chasing him down. Two UAE Team Emirates battling it out.
Benoot (BEL) drags Novak (SLO) back. Novak (SLO) is now continuing his pace on the front interestingly.
In the next 20 or so kilometres the riders tackle five climbs before they head back into Paris and the circuit around Montmartre where they have seven climbs waiting for them.
100km to go
Benoot (BEL) now keeping the pace very high. Novak (SLO) is just sitting a few wheels back and waiting for the pace to lull to potentially accelerate again which is forcing Benoot (BEL) to keep the pace a little higher than he perhaps wants.
Viviani (ITA) is getting frustrated with Chrisopher Rougier-Lagane (MAU)
Charles Kagimu (UGA) who are not coming through to take turns in the break. I think they're on their absolute limit.
Dropped from break
Geogios Bouglas (GRE)
The Greek rider did brilliantly to get away with Mullen (IRE) and co but he can't follow.
Mullen (IRE) now riding away from the rest of the break as well.
Dropped from break
Charlea Kagimu (UGA)
He is fighting to stay on the wheels, though and he is just about holding on again.
Attack!
Madouas (FRA)
Healy (IRE)
Stuyven (BEL)
Kung (SUI)
Skjelmose (DEN)
O'Connor (AUS)
Sheffield (USA)
That is being dragged back but it is fully stretched out.
Attack again!
Healy (IRE)
Sheffield (USA)
Pithie (NZL)
Tratnik (SLO)
Woods (CAN)
Wright (GBR)
Skjelmose (DEN) drags is back again with Van Baarle (NED).
90km to go
Several riders from the smaller cycling nations are being distanced.
Wave after wave of attacks here in the peloton.
Attack
Gee (CAN)
Valter (HUN)
Lutsenko (KAZ)
Healy (IRE)
Costa (POR)
Dropped from break
Chrisopher Rougier-Lagane (MAU)
Charles Kagimu (UGA)
Lutsenko's group is brought back but the Kazakh rider is pushing on solo with Healy (IRE) chasing yet again. Now the Netherlands lead the chase.
More moved come. Vauquelin (FRA) and Tratnik (SLO) trying to join Lutsenko (KAZ) and Healy (IRE).
Lutsenko (KAZ) and Healy (IRE) fly passed Bouglas (GRE) as they are just over a minute down on the leaders, Mullen (IRE) and Viviani (ITA).
Healy (IRE) and Lutsenko (KAZ) are a brilliant duo to go up the road but would also probably love Tratnik (SLO) and Vauquelin (FRA) to join them but they are not far enough ahead of Van Baarle (NED) led peloton.
Rougier-Lagane (MAU) and Kagimu (UGA) have been caught by Lutsenko (KAZ) and Healy (IRE) and just don't have the legs to follow.
80km to go
The chasing duo of Lutsenko (KAZ) and Healy (IRE) are now just +51" behind leaders Viviani (ITA) and Mullen (IRE) with the peloton at +1'15".
Healy (IRE) working with Lutsenko (KAZ) to catch Mullen his Irish teammate as well as Viviani (ITA).
You have to wonder if Healy actually knows Mullen is up the road. However, if he does or not, it works out very nicely for them.
Dropped from leaders
Elia Viviani (ITA)
The Olympic champion on the track, Viviani, gets dropped by Mullen (IRE) as he gets cramp.
Onto the next climb, the Côte de Bièvres. Max gradients of 8% with more fabulous crowds.
Remco Evenepoel (BEL) in second wheel as Benoot (BEL) strings the pack right out but no move by the third place finisher at this year's Tour de France.
Groups come together
Healy (IRE) and Lutsenko (KAZ) catch Mullen (IRE) and now Mullen is going to go all out for his countryman.
Attack
Pidcock (GBR)
Pithie (NZL)
Jorgenson (USA)
Madouas (FRA)
Costa (POR)
But nothing is getting away.
Bike change
Mattias Skjelmose (DEN)
That is not good timing for Denmark.
More attacks
Haller (AUT)
Ayuso (ESP)
Williams (GBR)
Kung (SUI)
Martinez (COL)
Bettiol (ITA)
Among others. All brought back.
Attack!
Remco Evenepoel (BEL)
Panic starting behind as he drags a group of around 10 with him but it is dragged back again.
70km to go
Mullen (IRE), Healy (IRE) and Lutsenko (KAZ) just about holding on after that move by Evenepoel (BEL) but they have a very small gap.
Onto the Côte du Pavé des Gardes, the final climb before heading into the Paris circuit.
Attack
Novak (SLO)
Kung (SUI)
Sepulveda (ARG)
The latter unable to follow.
Mullen (IRE) is dropped by Healy (IRE) and Lutsenko (KAZ) and Healy (IRE) is putting his breakaway partner under a lot of pressure.
Felix Großschartner (AUT) now leading the peloton as he drags Mullen (IRE), Novak (SLO) and Küng (SUI) back.
Attack!
Evenepoel (BEL)
Pedersen (DEN)
Jorgenson (USA)
Bettiol (ITA)
Küng (SUI)
Kirschi (SUI)
All back together again but Küng (SUI) is stringing it out.
Van der Poel (NED) lurking in around 15th wheel. He and Van Aert (BEL) just lurking in the shadows of other riders for now.
Healy (IRE) and Lutsenko (KAZ) working well together now as we have a bit of flat before heading into Montmartre and the finishing circuit.
Attack
Buitrago (COL)
Haller (AUT)
Kirsch (LUX)
Sainbayar (MGL)
Mullen (IRE) going above and beyond to mark moves.
Jambaljamts Sainbayar (MGL) now goes solo with Eduardo Sepúlveda (ARG) trying to bridge which brings out a few other bigger name riders including Williams (GBR).
Attack
Söderqvist (SWE)
Vacek (CZE)
Pithie (NZL)
Novak (SLO)
Jasper Stuyven (BEL) drags it all back together again.
60km to go
Just 28" between the Healy (IRE) and Lutsenko (KAZ) and the peloton.
Attack
Politt (GER)
Novak (SLO)
Madouas (FRA)
Woods (CAN)
Novak (SLO) dropped from this new move as Evenepoel (BEL) leads the chase with Mihkels (EST) and Oliveira (POR) helping the chase too.
Attack
Wright (GBR)
Küng (SUI)
Sainbayar (MGL)
Haller (AUT)
Stuyven (BEL) tried to bridge but couldn't.
This chase move is very strong!
Madouas (FRA)
Politt (GER)
Woods (CAN)
Sainbayar (MGL)
Küng (SUI)
Haller (AUT)
Wright (GBR)
They are just 16" behind the leaders of Healy (IRE) and Lutsenko (KAZ) with the peloton stalling at 55"!
Nobody chasing behind. Mullen (IRE) and Gee (CAN) playing the blocking card with Great Britain also pulling that move. The Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark need to start working as soon as possible.
Belgium and Denmark back on the front with Benoot (BEL) and Skjelmose (DEN) working.
Wout Van Aert (BEL) is out of the back looking for his team car to speak to the main belgian DS.
Puncture
Mohorič (SLO)
Pedersen (DEN)
Two teams with the maximum four riders having a nightmare.
Front wheel change
Mads Pedersen (DEN)
Bizarrely, Pedersen (DEN) goes for the wheel change and not a bike change! Very odd choice for the Danish leader.
50km to go
The riders fly along the banks of the Seine as they head to the climb and cobbles of Montmartre.
Race situation
Healy (IRE)
Lutsenko (KAZ)
Chasers +15":
Madouas (FRA)
Politt (GER)
Woods (CAN)
Sainbayar (MGL)
Küng (SUI)
Haller (AUT)
Wright (GBR)
Peloton +1'12"
Benoot (BEL) has put in a superb shift today working for his leaders, but, he must be close to the end of his resources.
Dropped from chase group
Jambaljamts Sainbayar (MGL)
We're on the climb to Montmartre.
Clarke (AUS) goes to the front to set the pace in the peloton for Michael Matthews (AUS).
Healy (IRE) drops Lutsenko (KAZ)!
Attack!!
Mathieu van der Poel (NED)
Wout Van Aert (BEL)
The megastars have arrived at the Olympic road race and they have clear air between them and the peloton.
Three riders join Van der Poel (NED) and Van Aert (BEL). Jorgenson (USA), Skujins (LAT) and Alapahilippe (FRA)!
Race situation
Healy (IRE)
C1 +15"
Lutsenko (KAZ)
Madouas (FRA)
Politt (GER)
Woods (CAN)
Sainbayar (MGL)
Küng (SUI)
Haller (AUT)
Wright (GBR)
C2 +37"
Van Aert (BEL)
Van der Poel (NED)
Alaphilippe (FRA)
Jorgenson (USA)
Skujins (LAT)
Peltoton +50"
If the Van der Poel (NED) group catch the Wright (GBR) group they must remember than Healy (IRE) is still out front all on his own. No radios at the race. Mistakes have been made before. Remember Van Vleuten in the women's race at Tokyo when she didn't know Kiesenhofer was up the road.
Australia and Denmark chasing frantically but as it stands, their leaders are out of contention.
Attack in peloton
Pedersen (DEN)
Williams (GBR)
McNulty (USA)
That Pedersen (DEN) group drags themselves across to the Van der Poel (NED) group and the peloton is now split but lots of riders are back in contention. But! There is a big group ahead as well as solo leader Healy (IRE).
Attack!
Remco Evenepoel (BEL)
The Olympic time trial champion launches solo and he has flown across to the chase group and goes to the front to chase down Healy (IRE).
Van Baarle (NED) now chasing for Van der Poel (NED) but Evenepoel (BEL) is flying. Healy (IRE) still has 30" gap on the chasing group and 47" on the peloton.
Evenepoel (BEL) not getting too much help in this chase group as they continue to hunt down Healy (IRE) as Remco has taken 10" out of the Irishman's gap.
Dropped
Nils Politt (GER)
The chase group now disintegrating thanks to Evenepoel (BEL).
Dropped from chase
Wright (GBR)
Woods (CAN)
Lutsenko (KAZ)
Caught
Ben Healy (IRE) dragged back by Evenepoel (BEL) who is absolutely flying.
Küng (SUI), Madouas (FRA) and Haller (AUT) doing a superb ride to hold on to his wheel.
30km to go
Belgium have got the advantage on the Netherlands as it stands with Evenepoel (BEL) flying up the road and all Van Aert (BEL) has to do is follow Van der Poel (NED).
Onto the Côte de la butte Montmartre for the penultimate time as Heller (AUT) and Küng (SUI) are immediately dropped in the break.
The peloton head onto the climb with Van Baarle (NED) leading,
Attack
Van der Poel (NED)
Pedersen (DEN)
Alaphilippe (FRA)
Van Aert (BEL)
Jorgenson (USA)
Van der Poel (NED) goes again and Van Aert (BEL) is having to close the gap after coming out of the wheels and the Belgian star closes the gap on his rival.
Belgium have Van der Poel (NED) exactly where they want him. Evenepoel (BEL) out front with Van der Poel (NED) chasing as Van Aert (BEL) is glued to his wheel.
Healy (IRE) has been dropped from the lead group as Evenepoel (BEL) is hammering the pace with Madouas (FRA) following.
Attack in chase
Laporte (FRA)
Jorgenson (USA)
Visma-Lease a Bike are here in force suddenly! The two trade teammates now working together with Pedersen (DEN) trying to bridge with Van der Poel (NED), Matthews (AUS), Alaphilippe (FRA) and Van Aert (BEL) coming back.
Küng (SUI) and Haller (AUT) join Healy (IRE) in the second group on the road.
The French are now looking very good. They have Madouas with Evenepoel (BEL) then Laporte (FRA) and Alaphilippe (FRA) behind.
Attack in chase
Jorgenson (USA)
Laporte (FRA)
Once again, the two riders who normally ride for the same team go clear.
Astonishing crowds at Montmartre in front of the Sacre Coeur.
20km to go
Madouas (FRA) is giving everything to stay with Evenepoel (BEL).
The peloton rejoins the Van der Poel (NED) group yet again as the race disappears up the road.
Van Aert (BEL) marking everything as we have a new move in the gap with Skujins (LAT), McNulty (USA), Tratnik (SLO), Skjelmose (DEN), Lazkano (ESP) and others.
One group ahead of them but still behind the leaders with Jorgenson (USA) and Laporte (FRA) joining the Healy (IRE) group.
Remco Evenepoel (BEL) and Valentin Madouas (FRA) have just under a minute on the first chase group and almost a minute and a half on the peloton that has just come together yet again.
Attack
Remco Evenepoel (BEL)
The time trial gold medalist drops Madouas (FRA) and gold is going to Belgium!
10km to go
Onto the Côte de la butte Montmartre for the final time. This is a procession for Evenepoel (BEL) who is looking so smooth. It is all about silver behind and whether Madouas (FRA) can hold on or not, he has 45" on the next group.
This has been incredible by Remco Evenepoel (BEL).
Alaphilippe (FRA) and Tratnik (SLO) are closing in on the Jorgenson (USA) group as they chase Madouas (FRA). Evenepoel (BEL) is over the top and now rides towards to Eifel Tower.
Jorgenson (USA) and Laporte (FRA) now going away to battle it out for bronze. France could well be on for silver AND bronze medals. Bittersweet for the hosts.
Healy (IRE) makes it back to Jorgenson (USA) and Laporte (FRA) with the European champion not helping his trade teammate at all.
Madouas (FRA) has 25" on the chasers.
5km to go
Healy (IRE) and Jorgenson (USA) working with Laporte (FRA) sitting on. Haller (AUT) doing an incredible ride to get back to that group as well.
Gold is almost certain to be Evenepoel (BEL) but silver and bronze are very open as Madouas (FRA) is slowly falling into the clutches of the chasing quad.
Unbelievable crowds in Paris
Bike change!
Remco Evenepoel (BEL)
The Belgian was panicking then! He was very worried and he gets his new bike.
Right outside the Louvre, Evenepoel (BEL) needed the bike change and he is desperately asking for the gap but he still has over a minute.
2km to go
Laporte (FRA) disrupting the chase of Madouas (FRA) as they could be on for silver and bronze.
Flamme Rouge!
Remco Evenepoel (BEL) now knows the gap and he can relax and just ride it in.
It looks like Van der Poel (NED), and Van Aert (BEL) are joining the chasing group with Tratnik (SLO) and Alaphilippe (FRA).
500 metres to go for Evenepoel (BEL).
Remco Evenepoel wins GOLD for Belgium yet again! He took the time trial and now he takes the road race. Absolutely exceptional.
Valentin Madouas takes silver for France!
And Christophe Laporte takes bronze for France as well!
Medals
Gold - Remco Evenepoel (Belgium)
Silver - Valentin Madouas (France)
Bronze - Christophe Laporte (France)
At the age of 24, Remco Evenepoel has won:
Olympic TT Gold
Olympic RR Gold
Worlds TT
Worlds RR
La Vuelta
2x Liege-Bastogne-Liege
3x Clasica San Sebastian
And much more besides.
Another moment for the immense crowds on Montmartre...
Top 10
1. Remco Evenepoel (BEL) 6:19'34"
2. Valentin Madouas (FRA) +1'11"
3. Christophe Laporte (FRA) +1'16"
4. Attila Valter (HUN)
5. Toms Skujiņš (LAT)
6. Marco Haller (AUT)
7. Stefan Küng (SUI)
8. Jan Tratnik (SLO)
9. Matteo Jorgenson (USA) all S.T.
10. Ben Healy (IRE) +1'20"
Of course, Evenepoel also becomes the first man to get the road race and time trial double in Olympic history.
Remco Evenepoel (BEL) speaking in TV interview giving his view on the race:
“What a place to win this. (pointing at the Eiffel Tower) Honestly, I feel sick, from the effort, it was a pretty hard day out there. I’m so proud to win this and be the first ever to win the double. It’s history, no?"
You seemed confident with Madouas (FRA) on your wheel?
"You’re never sure enough. I felt his legs were getting empty and knew that the kicker was about going all out. From there it was about pushing, pushing, pushing all the way to the line. I really feel sick from the effort, especially that stressful moment when I punctured with 4km to go. I had a straight puncture and had to change bikes but I don’t think the car was quite ready for that moment. It was stressful but I had enough time, so what a day."
And what about that celebration?
"I started the year with that celebration, so I knew that the Eiffel Tower was in the background, so I wanted to do it. I think it’s going to be a great picture."
The first rider to do the double gold in road racing was Leontien van Moorsel back in the Games of Sydney 2000. Remco Evenepoel becoming the first man to achieve it.
An incredible race.
Remco Evenepoel: Two-time Olympic Champion 👏✅ Men’s Individual Time Trial✅ Men’s Road Race#Paris2024 #CyclingRoad pic.twitter.com/uC8xRKD01PAugust 3, 2024
Make sure you have a read of our post race report by clicking the link below...
It didn't work out for Mathieu van der Poel (NED) despite two big attacks on the climb up Montmartre. He finished 12th at +1'49" just ahead of mountain biking gold medalist, Tom Pidcock (GBR).
The reason the medal ceremony can't happen yet because they have to wait for 10 minutes after the last rider has finished.
Here is the podium shot. Double gold for Remco Evenepoel as he takes both men's road cycling medals with hosts France smiling with Valentin Madouas and Christophe Laporte taking silver and bronze respectively.
Stay tuned for the latest news on Saturday, with all the best reactions and stories from cycling in the Olympics, as well as races away from Paris.
What did Mathieu van der Poel think about the road race today? The Dutchman made several attacks on the Montmartre climb but finished 12th.
Late puncture adds 'extra spice' to Remco Evenepoel's historic second Olympic gold medal performance
If there was a most combative rider for the road race in the Olympic Games, it would have been Irishman Ben Healy.
'It didn't go according to plan' - Michael Matthews misses out on shot at Olympic medal
“I tried my best to medal and it just didn't happen,” said Paris Olympic Games debutant Matteo Jorgenson (United States of America), as he got in a final selection for bronze. In the end, he talked about dominance of the big teams, like Belgium and France, and the insane 'tunnel of noise' from the crowds.
Back on the live page tomorrow for the women's Olympic road race. Thank you very much for following our updates.
