Remco Evenepoel, a leading contender for the Olympic time trial gold on Saturday, has voiced concerns about the condition of the roads in Paris where the event will take place. After inspecting the route, the Belgian cyclist pointed out that the roads are marred by numerous "holes," particularly in the first and last five kilometers, which could be problematic for time trial bikes.
Evenepoel shared his thoughts with broadcaster RTBF, noting, "The first and last five kilometers are not the best roads unfortunately." He expressed concern about the rough tarmac, stating that it is not ideal for time trial bikes. Despite these issues, he acknowledged the overall quality of the course, adding, "Otherwise, it's super-fast, the corners are fast too, and that's something that I like."
The 32.4-kilometer course will commence at Invalides, pass through notable landmarks such as the Bastille and Chateau de Vincennes, and conclude at the iconic Pont Alexandre over the Seine. Evenepoel arrives at the Olympics with notable recent achievements, including a third-place finish in his debut Tour de France and being crowned time trial world champion in Scotland last August.
On Saturday, Evenepoel’s main competitors for the gold medal are expected to be 20-year-old Josh Tarling from Britain and Filippo Ganna of Italy. Ganna, a seasoned rider, was the world time trial champion in both 2020 and 2021, making him a formidable rival in the event.
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