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Pete Trifunovic

The streets of Paris deliver passion and pain in equal measure - Olympic Games road race gallery

Paris, France - Women’s Road Race - Elisa Longo Borghini (Italy) climbs the Côte De La Butte Montmartre passing crowds outside Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre.

Paris is no stranger to the world's best cyclists battling it out on its cobbled streets and boulevards, yet the Olympic Games have opened the cycling world's eyes to arrondissements often left untouched by the caravan of the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes. 

While the Champs-Élysées is synonymous with road cycling, the 33rd edition of the Summer Games saw the road races venture onto the cobbled streets of Pigalle and Montmartre before finishing at the Trocadero, in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower. 

Despite a late puncture, Remco Evenepoel displayed his one-day racing prowess in all its glory with a well-timed attack to leave his key rivals behind before ultimately arriving at the finish line with time to spare - and for a sponsor-pleasing photo.

Just 24 hours later Kristen Faulkner arrived at the line in a euphoric but less flamboyant state than the Belgian, after putting in an equally impressive ride to secure a gold medal despite not being on anyone's radar ahead of the race.

Cyclingnews has curated the best of the images from our friends at SWpix.com, capturing some of the best angles of the weekend's action.

(Image credit: Ed Sykes/SWpix.com)

A picture-perfect start line in front of the Eiffel Tower. 

(Image credit: Ed Sykes/SWpix.com)

The peloton passes by the world-famous Musée du Louvre.

(Image credit: Ed Sykes/SWpix.com)

The women's peloton flashes past the Eiffel Tower in the early stages of the race.

(Image credit: Zac Williams/SWpix.com)

Even outside the city limits, the scenery was just as dramatic.

(Image credit: Zac Williams/SWpix.com)

Elisa Longo Borghini (Italy) tackles the cobbles in front of Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre.

(Image credit: Zac Williams/SWpix.com)

Crowds line the narrow, cobbled streets of Montmartre.

(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Zac Williams/SWpix.com)

The steps of the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre hidden by a wave of onlooking fans.

(Image credit: Ed Sykes/SWpix.com)

Julia Kopecky (Czech Republic) showing her appreciation to the crowds in Montmartre.

(Image credit: Zac Williams/SWpix.com)

One French iconic in front of another, Julian Alaphilippe (France) darts past the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre.

(Image credit: Zac Williams/SWpix.com)

Kristen Faulkner (USA) leads the charge as they reel in the leading pack amidst a cauldron of noise.

(Image credit: Zac Williams/SWpix.com)

All eyes, and camera phones, on the soon-to-be-crowned Olympic road race champion, Remco Evenepoel (Belgium).

(Image credit: Zac Williams/SWpix.com)

Blanka Vas (Hungary) and Marianne Vos (Netherlands) work together on the testing slopes of Montmartre.

(Image credit: Zac Williams/SWpix.com)

Mathieu van der Poel (Netherlands) and Wout van Aert (Belgium) push on as the race  enters its final throes.

(Image credit: Zac Williams/SWpix.com)

London 2012 silver medallist Lizzie Deignan (Great Britain) drives a chase group through the Parisian suburbs.

(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com)

Remco Evenepoel puts the phone down on the doubters and naysayers - were there any?

(Image credit: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com)

Kristen Faulkner drives to the line, too entranced to celebrate just yet.

(Image credit: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com)

A throw for silver, Vos wins out ahead of Kopecky (Belgium) and Vas.

(Image credit: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com)

What it means to Valentin Madouas (France) to take silver on home soil.

(Image credit: Zac Williams/SWpix.com)

A shot that will live long in the memory. The first-ever male to win both time trial and road race gold at the same Olympic Games.

(Image credit: Zac Williams/SWpix.com)

Kristen Faulkner raises the stars and stripes to celebrate her shock victory.

(Image credit: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com)

Charles Kagimu (Uganda) crosses the line. He may have finished last but making the start line was a victory in itself for the African rider.

(Image credit: Zac Williams/SWpix.com)

Alison Jackson (Canada) catches her breath after crossing the line.

(Image credit: Zac Williams/SWpix.com)

The emotions on the face of Fred Wright (Great Britain) illustrate the testing nature of Paris' cobbled streets.

(Image credit: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com)

It might just be Remco Evenepoel holding the medals, but its a team affair to get him onto the podium.

(Image credit: Zac Williams/SWpix.com)

Kristen Faulkner raises her arms with glee after holding off the likes of Vos and Kopecky to take gold.

(Image credit: Future)

Get unlimited access to all of our coverage of the 2024 Olympic Games - including breaking news and analysis reported by our journalists on the ground from every event across road, mountain bike, track and BMX racing as it happens and more. Find out more.

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