Michał Kwiatkowski Replaced by Stanisław Aniołkowski for Poland in Olympic Men's Road Race, Stefan Bissegger Replaced by Marc Hirschi for Switzerland

 

Ahead of the Men's Road Race at the 2024 Olympics, it was made public that Michał Kwiatkowski would be replaced by Stanisław Aniołkowski for Poland, while for Switzerland Stefan Bissegger would be replaced by Marc Hirschi.

Kwiatkowski, who rides for the UCI WorldTeam Ineos Grenadiers, stated that following his ride at the Olympic Men's Individual Time Trial he had been suffering lower back pain and made the difficult decision to give his place in the Men's Road Race to another rider. Stanisław Aniołkowski currently competes for the UCI ProTeam Human Powered Health, having previously ridden for teams such as Cofidis, Bingoal WB, and CCC Development Team, and won the Polish Road Race Championships in 2020.

Stefan Bissegger cited pain in in his back muscles which he had been suffering from since the end of the Tour de France as the reason for withdrawal. Bissegger, who rides for the UCI WorldTeam EF Education-EasyPost was able to overcome the pain for the Individual Time Trial at this year's Olympics, but was unable to withstand a longer period of exertion. 

Marc Hirschi will compete alongside Stefan Küng will also be competing alongside Hirschi. The Thurgau native will probably take on Hirschi's role as assistant. Hirschi, who rides with the UCI WorldTeam UAE Team Emirates was riding at the Tour of the Czech Republic until Sunday evening, where he finished as the general classification winner, meaning the Swiss rider will be heading to Paris  with momentum. In 2020, Hirschi won the bronze medal at the World Championship road race, and at the Tokyo Olympic he finished 25th overall.