The Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games are officially underway! The Olympic Cycling events kicked off with the Mens and Women’s Individual Time Trial which was held on the streets of Paris on a tight, technical course under rainy conditions. With less than ideal conditions for the Olympic cyclists to just ride as fast as possible against the clock, the riders faced challenges navigating the slick roads with white lines and tight turns with many riders sliding out and hitting the pavement.
In the end, Remco Evenepoel (Belgium) and Grace Brown (Australia) posted the fastest times to win the Gold medal. The United States secured the bronze medal with Chloe Dygert posting the 3rd fastest time narrowly missing a silver medal after crashing. Brandon McNulty put in a fast time to finish 5th.
Insights from Demi Vollering and Lotte Kopecky
Demi Vollering (5th): ‘Maybe my best time trial ever’
“I rode with my heart, so I can be satisfied. I rode super wattages. This might be my best time trial ever, considering the flat course, which wasn’t really perfect for me. The corners were really slippery. Maybe I missed the mark there. I immediately had a good pace and went well through the first corners. But then my rear wheel slipped a few times and I became more unsure. At one point I went square through the corners because I was going so slow. I didn’t want to risk everything. I ended up 19 seconds short of a medal. That does make me emotional, because secretly I was dreaming of the podium. The Olympics are so special. I hope to be able to grab a medal one day. But unfortunately it didn’t work out now. This will probably hurt some more later. I am really bummed. But at the same time I am also satisfied with the time trial I rode here. It makes me proud! The form is good and that’s promising for the future.”
Lotte Kopecky (6th): “Maybe there was more in it without the crash”
“I had a good start to the time trial. I was able to pedal my wattages as wanted and it didn’t feel like I was on the limit. I was careful on the roundabout and thought I was through safely. But I come off the roundabout and slide down with two wheels. That fall plays in your head for a while then, but in terms of power, I stayed perfectly on track. Only, everything was dragging on my bike after the crash. I briefly considered changing bikes, but that costs you even more time. This is sour. I was secretly hoping for a medal and with the powers I delivered today, there might have been more in it. This is unfortunate.”
Olympic Individual Time Trial Results
Men’s Individual Time Trial
1st – Gold – Remco Evenepoel (Belgium)
2nd – Silver – Fillipo Ganna (Italy)
3rd – Bronze – Wout Van Aert (Belgium)
4th – Josh Tarling (Great Britain)
5th Brandon McNulty (USA)
Women’s Individual Time Trial
1st – Gold – Grace Brown (Australia)
2nd – Silver – Anna Henderson (Great Britain)
3rd – Bronze – Chloe Dygert (USA)
4th Julliette Labous (France)
5th – Demi Vollering (Netherlands)
Watch – Video Highlights
Men’s & Women’s Individual Time Trial – Watch Replay on Peacock
Men’s Individual Time Trial
Women’s Individual Time Trial
Rainy Conditions
Photo: Lotte Kopecky riding for Belgium finished 6th after crashing. Copyright (c) Getty Images / @GettySport
