Cycling: The Olympic Games in Rio traditionally start on Friday with an opening ceremony. The very next day, the cyclists will be fighting for gold, silver and bronze on the road. The route profile over around 240 km promises an exciting race. Who is among the favourites?
In road racing, the heaviest Olympic profile for years
For the road cyclists, the hunt for medals begins on Saturday in Rio. Although the start and finish are right on Copacabana Beach, the pros won't be able to enjoy much of it that day because the route profile is considered very demanding. The German national coach Jan Schaffrath also seems to think so: "This is by far the most difficult Olympic course that I can remember." That's probably why the German camp decided not to fill all four starting places . Ultimately, Maximilian Levy was only nominated to be able to fight for a medal on the track. Although the three-time medal winner will still be at the start, he certainly cannot really influence the result. With Tony Martin, Emanuel Buchmann and Simon Geschke there is only hope for a chaotic race with chances for outsiders.
Cobblestones, poisonous climbs and a dangerous descent
39 km after the start, Tony Martin will certainly take a close look, because then the drivers will turn into the course of the individual time trial, which will take place on Wednesday and where the chances for a German medal win are significantly higher. After four laps at Recreio with short but very toxic climbs and headstone passages, Saturday's road race then heads back towards Copacabana. But it doesn't get any easier then, because the Canoas climb, which is up to 15 percent steep, has to be conquered three times. However, the problem is not only driving up, but also the subsequent descent. This is very curvy and the asphalt gets slightly damp due to the rainforest. If this obstacle has also been successfully overcome, there are still twelve flat kilometers to go to the finish line.
Peter Sagan prefers mountain biking to racing in Rio
Given the heavy profile, it is surprising that World Champion Peter Sagan will not be at the start. Nevertheless is the future driver of the German team Bora-hansgrohe in Rio because he will be fighting for medals in the mountain bike competition. Strange - but that's how we know him. So the world champion will not be able to become Olympic champion at the same time, but there are enough alternatives in the field of drivers.
Strong teams from Spain, Italy and Great Britain
The Spaniards have two hot irons in the fire in Alejandro Valverde and Joaquim Rodriguez, but to be successful they will undoubtedly need to work together better than they did at last weekend's Clasica San Sebastian. With Vincenzo Nibali and Fabio Aru, Italy also has two potential winners in their squad. However, since they would have no chance in a sprint out of a larger group, only an attack on the final climb or - especially in relation to Nibali - on the subsequent descent helps. The nation of Great Britain, which dominated the Tour de France, is now also looking for gold at the Olympics, because with tour winner Chris Froome, his helper Geraint Thomas and adam yates, the winner of the white jersey, the team boss can build on a three-man lead.
Extremely different team sizes in road racing
This strong contingent is only surpassed by our neighbors from the Netherlands. The two-time Tour stage winner Tom Dumoulin is at the start, as is Giro surprise Steven Kruijswijk, Tour unlucky Bauke Mollema and the outstanding Froome helper Wout Poels. Irishman Daniel Martin, Portuguese Rui Costa and Pole Michal Kwiatkowski would also like to rely on this team strength, but these co-favourites either have too few helpers at their side or simply no compatriots of this class. On the other hand, there is a lot of class in the Belgian team: With Greg Van Avermaet and Tim Wellens, you can count on a sprint as well as an escape just before the finish. The Colombians should not be underestimated. Rigoberto Uran, Jarlinson Pantano, Angel Lopez Moreno, Sergio Henao and Esteban Chaves will certainly be particularly motivated on their home continent. Costa Rican Andrey Amador, who will be on his own, is certainly extremely jealous of such a large and strong squad. Just like Daniel Teklehaimanot, Tsgabu Gebremaryam Grmay and Frank Schleck, who we all know from this year's Tour de France.
Will France succeed in the big coup?
No Frenchman has won the Olympic gold medal in the road race since José Beyaert in 1948. This year, however, the chance seems to be greater than it has been for a long time. With Romain Bardet, the second on the tour is at the start, who shouldn't mind such short and poisonous climbs. Drives at his side Julian Alaphilippe, who proved his good shape at the Tour de France. For a long time now he has not only been regarded as a huge talent, but has already demonstrated this impressively by being able to finish at the front of the Ardennes classics. The 25-year-old is still one big win away, but what better competition than the road race at the Olympics? The two French captains can rely on strong helpers Warren Barguil and Alexis Vuillermoz for their gold mission.
