The current road world champion Van der Poel has his racing roots in off-road mountain biking and cyclocross. When he competes in mountain biking, he is always one of the top favorites. However, he has always got in his own way at major events. He will be remembered for his fall over the rock drop at the Olympic Games in Tokyo and his early elimination at the 2023 World Championships after slipping on a meadow and retiring demotivated. Van der Poel will be at the start in the upcoming World Cup race in Nove Mesto (May 26).

The other cycling high-flyer is expected to be in the Olympic race in Paris: Tom Pidcock. The defending Olympic champion is expected to compete both on the road and in the mountain bike race. Like Van der Poel before him, he will be taking part in the Tour de France.

Cycling disciplines at the Oympic Games in Paris

• Road Time Trial Women & Men: July 27, 14:30    
• MTB Cross Country Women: July 28, 14:00
• MTB Cross Country Men: 29. July, 14:00    
• BMX Freestyle Final Women & Men: July 31, 13:10    
• BMX Racing Semi-Final & Final: August 2, 20:00
• Road Race Men: August 3, 11:00   
• Road Race Women: 4. August, 14:00  
• Track cycling: August 5 - 11    

Official website of the Olympic Games in Paris: paris2024.org

Van der Poel's legendary crash at the Tokyo Games: