Three years after the Tokyo Games, as the world eagerly awaits the Paris 2024 Olympics, cycling fans are once again gearing up for another exhilarating event. The stage is set for a showdown across road racing, track cycling, mountain biking, and BMX, where the world’s elite will vie for the coveted gold. But the burning question remains: can the heroes of Tokyo repeat their triumphs?
The Tokyo 2020 Olympics saw stunning performances, but only eight of the 16 reigning champions will have the chance to defend their titles in Paris. Some legends have hung up their helmets, retiring at the peak of their powers. Others face the cruel hand of fate, sidelined by injuries or strategic decisions from their national federations.
Road Cycling
With the reigning champion Richard Carapaz stepping aside at París 2024 to focus on the World Cup, the stage is set for a new gold medallist. The Ecuadorian federation has placed its bets on Jhonatan Narváez, believing he’s better suited to the Parisian circuit.
In a surprising twist, two-time Tour de France winner and bronze medallist Tadej Pogačar will also be absent, citing fatigue and a fallout with his federation. However, cycling enthusiasts can look forward to the electrifying presence of Wout van Aert, the versatile Belgian powerhouse, who will aim to improve on his bronze finish.
On the women’s side, Anna Kiesenhofer, the underdog who stunned the world in Tokyo, will return, although she’s not tipped as a favourite. The competition opens up further with the withdrawal of silver medallist Annemiek van Vleuten and Italy’s bronze medallist Elisa Longo Borghini making a comeback.
The time trial events promise to be equally intriguing, with none of the current medalists from Tokyo competing in Paris. This means fresh faces in both the men’s and women’s events will rise to claim the titles once held by Primož Roglič and Annemiek van Vleuten.
Road Cycling Favourites to Bet On for Paris 2024
With a course that promises challenging hills and fast finishes, the stage is set for a mid-mountain classics specialist with explosive speed to take the gold. Here are the top contenders you should consider for your bets: Mathieu van der Poel, Mads Pedersen, Wout van Aert and Remco Evenepoel.
The favourites in the women’s road race are Lotte Kopecky, Marianne Vos, Demi Vollering and Lorena Wiebes, giving the Netherlands a strong chance of a podium finish.
Time Trial Favourites: Touted as Great Britain’s best hope, Joshua Tarling’s recent performances mark him as the favourite for gold. On the other hand, the American star, Chloe Dygert, has been dominant in time trials, making her the leading candidate in the women’s race.
Track Cycling
With legends like Jason Kenny and Shanne Braspennincx stepping aside from the individual track disciplines, and Matthew Walls not making the squad, only half of the reigning champions will have a shot at retaining their titles.
Who will sprint to gold in the individual sprint events? Harrie Lavreysen and Kelsey Mitchell are the top picks to retain their Olympic sprint titles.
In the Keirin, Lavreysen will face tough competition from Azizulhasni Awang, the silver medallist from Tokyo, as both riders vie for the top spot. The women’s Keirin is set to be equally thrilling, with Ellesse Andrews (New Zealand) and Lauriane Genest (Canada) looking to move up the podium.
Italy’s Elia Viviani aims to step up from his bronze in Tokyo and claim gold in the Omnium, potentially filling the void left by Walls. For the women, Jennifer Valente (USA) will be defending her title at the Velodrome National de Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines.
Mountain bike
With the withdrawal of reigning champion Jolanda Neff due to lingering injuries, the competition is wide open for a new queen of the trails to emerge. Having Neff out of the picture, Switzerland’s hopes rest on the capable shoulders of Sina Frei and Linda Indergand, who clinched silver and bronze, respectively, in Tokyo.
In the men’s category, the podium finishers from Tokyo are all set to return, raising the stakes for a thrilling rematch. Will we see Thomas Pidcock, Mathias Flückiger and David Valero medalling again?
BMX Cycling
En la disciplina olímpica más joven, en lo que a ciclismo se refiere, no tendremos al actual oro en la carrera masculina Niek Kimmann (Países Bajos) que será baja debido a una lesión. Sin embargo el resto de favoritos serán de la partida y se espera un gran espectáculo.
Despite the absence of reigning men’s race gold medallist Niek Kimmann (Netherlands) sidelined due to injury, the competition remains fierce, with a roster of top contenders ready to make their mark and a great show is expected.
Bethany Shriever (women’s race), Logan Martin (men’s freestyle) and Charlotte Worthington (women’s freestyle) will be looking to retain their crown in 2024.
Rise of New Legends
Cycling has undergone a dramatic transformation in the past three years. With the retirement of some of the sport’s most iconic figures and the emergence of a new generation of talent, the Paris 2024 Olympics are set to be a thrilling arena for fresh legends to be born. As many of the reigning champions step aside, the path is clear for a new wave of cyclists to make their mark on history. These young talents are not just competing for medals—they’re looking to shatter records and redefine the sport.
Will you back the next big name in cycling or predict a stunning upset? Bet on cycling and make the most of these Olympic Games. Tune into Highbet´s Blog, where you can engage with the most comprehensive and up-to-date information, ensuring you’re always ahead of the game in order to make savvy betting decisions!
