Cyclocross, Gravel and Americans Factor in the 2021 Tokyo Men’s Olympics Road Race – Full Results

At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (delayed until 2021), cyclocross, gravel and an American played major roles in how the race played out, and who came home with medals.

The Men’s Road Race at the Tokyo Olympics took place on Saturday, July 24.

The racers delivered a thrilling start to cycling at the Tokyo Olympics.

The Contenders

At the start, 126 riders from 57 countries lined up for the 143-mile race.

The USA team consisted of Lawson Craddock and Brandon Mcnulty.

Of course, all eyes were on former cyclocross World Champ Wout van Aert, fresh of stunning stage victories at the 2021 Tour de France, and two-time Tour de France winner Tadej Pogačar, just days off his victory in Paris.

Many of the cyclocross stars from the Tour de France were missing, as Julian Alaphilippe, Tim Merlier, Peter Sagan and yellow jersey wearer Mathieu van der Poel all were not on their country’s road team.

Van der Poel hopes to win a medal in the mountain bike cross country race next week.

Former cyclocross World Champ Zdeněk Štybar also took the start, but did not finish.

The Course

The men’s road racecourse for the Tokyo Olympics was 234 kilometers and included 5,000 meters of climbing. The course was broken down into 5 sections: Tokyo, Mt. Fuji, Fuji Speedway Circuit Mikuni Pass, and Fuji Speedway Finish.

In preparation for today's race, we're remembering all of the men's road races over time 🚴‍♂️#StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/ULhXGzfZbS

— Olympics (@Olympics) July 23, 2021

1. Part 1: Tokyo. The riders rode 110 kilometers from Tokyo’s western suburbs to the Fuji Speedway.
2. Part 2: Mt. Fuji. 51 kilometers and required the riders to climb Mt. Fuji partway before they descend.
3. Part 3: Fuji Speedway Circuit. The riders did 1.5 laps around the circuit then head out to Mikuni Pass.
4. Part 4: Mikuni Pass. 31 kilometers that feature 2 climbs: The brutally steep Mikuni Pass and Kagosaka Pass before the descent to Fuji Speedway.
5. Part 5: Fuji Speedway Finish. The riders finished off the race with a half lap around the Fuji Speedway circuit.

With heat, humidity and steep climbs awaiting the riders, the favorites were content to watch a breakaway escape to a 20-minute lead before the fireworks started on Mikuni Pass.

Gravel Training, a Marked ‘Crosser and an American Darkhorse

On the Mikuni Pass, Pogacar wasted no time in testing his rivals and putting Van Aert on the defensive. The Tour winner hit the front, drawing out his trade teammate, American Brandon McNulty, and Canadian Michael Woods.

Could North Americans take the top two spots? The three quickly opened up a 20-second advantage.

Not if the top cyclocrosser left in the race had any say. Van Aert patiently chased with little help, and when the climb’s steepest pitches were over, brought back the leading three. Heading into the final climb, the lead group was 12-riders strong.

On the final Kagosaka climb, it was McNulty at the front again, but this time Richard Carapaz, third place in this year’s Tour de France, was quick to follow.

The two worked together to extend their lead to over 30 seconds on their way to the Fuji International Speedway finale.

Van Aert and Pogacar took charge of the chase at different times, bringing the lead down to 14 seconds.

At the Speedway, on a small climb, McNulty faltered, and Carapaz was off alone without an attack.

He would look back many times in disbelief. After months of early season training on the gravel roads of the Cotopaxi Volcano in the Andes, he was climbing to victory on the smoothest pavement of the entire race.

Carapaz claimed his Ecuador’s second-ever Olympic gold medal.

“It gives me a lot of satisfaction,” he said at the finish. “I have worked very hard, and then it works out in a way that makes history for me and my country. To be able to be part of the history of my country is very important.”

Behind, the two pre-race favorites led the rush to the line for the last two medals in a photo finish. A tire’s width gave Van Aert the silver ahead of Pogacar.

McNulty finished sixth after an aggressive ride that led to Carapaz’s victory.

With Van Aert’s silver medal in the road race, cyclocross fans can now look forward to the women’s race on Saturday, as well as the time trials and mountain bike races next week.

2021 Tokyo Olympics Cycling Men's Road Race Results

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