2024 Women's Olympics Road Race Race Preview
The details of this year's 2024 Women's Olympics Road Race are falling into place. Find the latest route profiles and maps below, followed by our strategic preview of the race.
The women's road race at the Paris 2024 Olympics promises to be one of the most spectacular and unpredictable events of the cycling programme, with a demanding course that winds through some of the most iconic landscapes in France before finishing on a brutal climb up the Côte de Chaillot near Cergy-Pontoise. The route covers approximately 158 kilometres and features significant climbing that is likely to fracture the peloton and reward the most versatile riders who can both climb and handle the technical demands of racing in a large pack.
The course is set to take riders past many of the famous landmarks of the French capital, creating a stunning visual backdrop that will capture the imagination of a global audience. After leaving the city, the race heads into the surrounding countryside before tackling repeated ascents that will test the legs and tactical nous of every competitor. The final climb is short but steep enough to cause significant damage to those who have already spent their energy in the earlier stages of the race.
Annemiek van Vleuten is absent this time, having retired from professional cycling following her extraordinary career, which means the race is genuinely open and free from the dominance that the Dutch superstar brought to so many major events in recent years. The Netherlands will still be represented by a formidable squad, but the absence of their most decorated rider opens the door for a wider range of potential winners.
Demi Vollering arrives as one of the strongest favourites after her outstanding recent form, including her Tour de France Femmes victory. The Dutch climber has the power and the tactical intelligence to win on a course like this, and her team will be built around protecting and delivering her in the final kilometres. However she will face fierce competition from all directions.
Pauliena Rooijakkers and Marianne Vos add further depth to the Dutch challenge, with Vos in particular being a rider who has won at Olympic level before and who is never to be underestimated regardless of course profile. Her racing intelligence and ability to read a race make her dangerous even when the route does not perfectly suit her qualities.
Katarzyna Niewiadoma will be hoping that her aggressive racing style and climbing ability can bring her a first Olympic medal, and the Polish rider will not be afraid to attack early if she senses an opportunity. She has the engine to hurt her rivals on the climbs and the determination to make a race rather than wait for a sprint.
Elisa Longo Borghini leads the Italian challenge and comes into the race in strong form. The experienced Italian is a genuine threat on any hilly course and will be supported by a squad capable of putting pressure on the favourites from early in the race. Italy traditionally races with ambition and attacking intent, which could play a significant role in shaping how the event unfolds.
Lotte Kopecky is another rider who cannot be ignored. The Belgian champion is one of the most complete riders in the women's peloton and while the course may suit pure climbers more than it suits her, she has demonstrated time and again that she can perform on rolling and demanding terrain. If the race comes together for a reduced bunch sprint, her finishing speed makes her extremely dangerous.
The weather conditions in late July and early August in northern France can vary considerably, and heat is a genuine factor that could influence the race. Riders who manage their effort and hydration carefully in the early part of the day will be better placed to compete when the race reaches its decisive final kilometres.
Tactics will be absolutely critical. Teams with multiple riders capable of competing for the win will have options to send early attackers up the road to draw out the favourites, while nations with a single leader will need their support riders to do enormous amounts of work to keep the race under control or create the right moment for their leader to attack. Breakaways that establish themselves early are unlikely to survive to the finish on such a prestigious stage, but moves made on the final climb with ten or fewer kilometres remaining will be very difficult to close down.
The prospect of watching the world's best female cyclists racing through the streets of Paris with an Olympic medal at stake is genuinely thrilling, and with so many credible contenders capable of winning, the outcome feels more uncertain than in many previous editions of this event. Whatever happens, the race is set to provide one of the defining moments of the Paris Games.
Get our full coverage of the Women's Olympics Road Race and every race we cover with our mobile app! The apps have over 100 additional exclusive features, including our award-winning Time Machine feature that lets you pause/rewind/replay the entire app to sync with delayed race video, integrated Fantasy Cycling, push notifications, an integrated news feed, live GPS tracking, world-class commentary, and our animated interactive maps and profiles.
