On Saturday, August 3, and Sunday, August 4, 2024, the Olympic men's and women's road cycling races will commence from the Trocadéro. The pelotons will embark on a 5-kilometer procession, passing iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Seine, Les Invalides, and the Latin Quarter, before the official race start on Rue Gay-Lussac in the 5th arrondissement.
For the first time in Olympic history, there will be an equal number of male and female participants, with 90 men and 90 women.
The route will take them through the Hauts-de-Seine département, including the Côte des Gardes hill in Meudon, coveing 1.9 kilometers at an average gradient of 6%.
The riders will also pass by the Château de Versailles and through the Chevreuse Valley, facing challenging climbs such as the Côte de Port-Royal, covering only 1 kilometer, but at a relatively difficult 5% gradient, the Côte de Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse, and even more strenuous 1.3 kilometer climb at an average gradient of 6.3%, and the Côte de Châteaufort, requiring a 900-meter push at a 5.7% average gradient.
The men's race will have additional climbs in comparison to the women's race, which include the Côte de Senlisse, covering 1.3 kilometers at an average gradient of 5.3%, the punchy rise up the Côte d'Herbouvilliers at only 850 meters, but at a 5.7% average gradient, and the more strenuous climb up to the summit of the Côte de Bièvres lasting 1.2 kilometers at an average gradient of 6.5%
The women's race will also tackle the Côte de Cernay-la-Ville climb, in comparison to the men, which lasts 1.1 kilometers at a 3.9% average gradient.
These loops in the western Parisian region cover 225 kilometers for the men and 110 kilometers for the women, showcasing other Olympic venues like the Golf National and the Vélodrome National in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines. The final 50 kilometers of the race will take the pelotons back into Paris, passing landmarks such as the Louvre and the Opéra Garnier.
The race will culminate with a challenging 18.4-kilometer segment in Montmartre, featuring technical bends and a cobbled climb lasting 1 kilometer at an average gradient of 6.5%. After two laps, the final ascent towards the Sacré Coeur basilica will decide the winners.
The last 9.5 kilometers will lead to a 230-meter sprint finish on Pont d’Iéna bridge, with the backdrop of the Eiffel Tower, where the Olympic champions will be crowned after 158 kilometers for the women and 273 kilometers for the men.
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