Hello and bienvenue to Cyclingnews' live coverage of the women's road race at the Paris Olympic Games!
The battle to succeed Anna Kiesenhofer of Austria as reigning Olympic Champion is due to start in just over an hour's time at 1410 CET, with 91 riders - including Kiesenhofer - in the 2024 Road Race peloton.
Saturday's equivalent event for the Men road race culminated with a spectacular solo victory for Remco Evenepoel of Belgian, his second gold in just under a week. Laura Weislo reported on his post-race reaction here.
I think it is safe to say that Lotte Kopecky (BEL) i the big favourite. However, she doesn't have the strongest team with Justine Ghekiere, Julie van de Velde and Margot Vanpachtenbeke in the squad. It will be difficult for them to control the super four of the Netherlands.
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With just under half an hour before the race starts, the first photos from sign on are coming in. Beginning with the hosts, France. They bring the experience of Audrey Cordon-Ragot, the outside favourite of Julietta Labous and the national champion Victoire Berteau. Silver and bronze in the men's road race, maybe another big result today?
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It is fantastic to see the two riders from Afghanistan lining up at the Olympic road race. The sisters, Fariba and Yulduz Hashimi.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
The Dutch are coming here with a superb team. All four riders are definitely in with a chance of taking the win. stage racing megastar Demi Vollering, GOAT Marianne Vos, sprinting goddess Lorena Wiebes and Classics/ITT star Ellen van Dijk.
Team GB come here with three riders despite having four slots. They decided to have track rider Anna Morris on the list and then pull her out before the race. This gives Team GB an extra track rider, but means they miss a rider in the road race. Either way, they have national champion Pfeiffer Georgi, London 2012 silver medalist Lizzie Deignan and ITT silver medalist Anna Henderson.
Team USA come to the race with Chloe Dygert and Kristen Faulkner. Two excellent riders for a course like this and should not be counted out.
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Neutral start
The riders have started the neutralised zone.
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157.6km to go
And the racing begins!!
Attack
Awa Bamogo (BKF)
Our person on the ground in Paris, Laura Weislo, spoke to Giro d'Italia women's champion, Elisa Longo-Borghini (ITA) before the start.
Laura asked her about the men's race and Belgium's success with two potential winners. She said, "We have four riders that are capable of anything a very fast one with [Elisa] Balsamo. an all rounder like me. Silvia Persico is strong rider, a young one that can surprise everybody, and [Elena] Cecchini is somebody that has a lot of knowledge and experience so we are ready to fight and to do our operation."
On the form of her life, she summed up her feeling in one word: Determined.
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Lizzie Deignan told Laura Weislo her preparation sucked - she broke her arm at the Tour of Flanders and she crashed in the Thuringen Tour last month.
The 2012 silver medalist still has hopes for today, though. "I really believe that it's a wide open race and you know, there's pressure on my back. I've done everything I wanted to in my career. Obviously Olympic gold is missing, but a silver medal is pretty hard to come by, too. So I'm just ready to enjoy myself."
She is in her last Olympics but will race on one more year with Lidl-Trek.
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Kasia Niewiadoma - winner of La Flèche Wallonne - said it's been a very long build-up to today but she's very excited to get the race started.
"I'm confident about my form. Yet. I also know that this race is going to be super open because it basically suits all of the riders. So besides great shape, as we saw yesterday with Remco, you also need this little bit of luck to go in the right place. I hope we will be able to find our moment."
(Image credit: Getty Images)
150km to go
Bamogo (BKF) has around 45" over the peloton.
Caught
Onto the first climb of the day. The Côte des Gardes. Nine catgorised climbs on today's route. Bamogo (BKF) dragged back as the pace behind it too high for the rider from Burkina Faso.
Bamogo (BKF) has gone from out front to out of the back on this climb.
Dropped
Houili (ALG)
Al Sayegh (UAE)
Ukpeseraye (NGR)
Ingabire (RWA)
Double puncture
Minji Song (KOR)
Attack
Kim Cadzow (NZL)
Rebecca Koerner (DEN)
All dragged back though.
Attack
Antri Christoforou (CYP)
Kim Cadzow (NZL)
Fariba Hashimi (AFG)
Dragged back yet again.
Attack
Nora Jenčušová (SVK)
She has a small gap on the bunch.
Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (Denmark) was all smiles at the start, saying, "Super excited. Yeah, we're at the Olympics, we're in front of the Eiffel Tower - it doesn't get much better."
She had a crash in the TT but is OK and hoping to keep it upright today. "I think it's going to be super, super hard course. it might be difficult to make the difference on the climbs, but as we saw yesterday, there's probably going to be some lulls after climbs where there might be some attacks so you just got to be eyes open on the circuit."
New Zealand's Kim Cadzow: "I'm just really excited to get out there and race. I think it's completely unpredictable, and so it's gonna be a lot of fun.
"I think the woman's race always plays out a little bit differently to the men's but be some early breaks, early attacks and then it's just going to be a chaotic final.
"I think it's gonna be hard, especially with some of the bigger nations but I'll give it my best and me and Niamh [Fisher-Black] will try and outfox them."
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Mavi Garcia (Spain) coming off a top 10 overall in the Giro d'Italia was surprised by the men's race, she thought there would be a big group coming to the finish but was pleased to see the race broke up.
"It's good news for me because I'm strong but not [a sprinter]. I think the race is really hard in the final, the climbs aren't long but it's a hard circuit and I like it."
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Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (South Africa) is coming off a fractured vertebra from a crash in the Volta a Catalunya in early June. She had a smooth recovery and did a lot of preparation on Zwift.
She said it is "surreal" and "feels like I'm in a dream" because she didn't expect to make it here. She's got high ambitions for today.
"It's obviously a really tricky city circuit it's a bit like a criterium. For me, obviously, it would be ideal to get into a breakaway before that city circuit. We saw yesterday that there was a medal from the breakaway so I think that's a really good opportunity and that's what I'll be looking for today."
(Image credit: Getty Images)
130km to go
Nora Jenčušová (SVK) has around 45" on the peloton currently led by Afghanistan, Switzerland and Germany.
Attack
Fariba Hashimi (AFG)
She is trying to bridge over to Jenčušová (SVK).
However, lots of counter moves mean the rider from Afghanistan is dragged back.
Attack
Yulduz Hashimi (AFG)
She now goes solo and is already half way across the gap to Jenčušová (SVK).
Attack
Rotem Gafinovitz (ISR)
She is trying to join the leading duo who are about to come together.
Attack
Hanna Tserakh (INA)
Thị Thật Nguyễn (VTN)
Fariba Hashimi (AFG)
Several moves but these riders seem to be allowed to go so far.
120km to go
Jenčušová (SVK)
+38"
Y. Hashimi (AFG)
+45"
Gafinovitz (ISR)
F. Hashimi (AFG)
Nguyễn (VTN)
Tserakh (INA)
Peloton +2'03"
The riders just went over the second climb, the Côte de Port-Royal. As Y. Hashimi (AFG) has been caught by the chasers as they try and catch Jenčušová (SVK). 44" between the lone leader and the chase.
Back in the peloton, Italy, Great Britain, Netherlands and Denmark have riders up working on the front.
The Netherlands briefly took the lead and control in the peloton but have sat up again. Now Belgium and Australia take over the pace setting for the moment. The gap is now +4'20"
Jenčušová (SVK) is very close to being caught by the chasers now. They are just 5" behind the Slovakian rider.
Attack in peloton
Berteau (FRA) leading the move but it is quickly dragged back together by the Dutch and Belgians.
Dropped from peloton
Anna Kiesenhofer (AUT)
The defending champion seems to be really struggling. She crashed multiple times in the time trial last weekend.
Attack in peloton
Olga Zabelinskaya (UZB)
The veteran rider gets a gap and goes clear from the peloton to try and bridge the +3'32" gap to the leading group of six.
The Netherlands, Australia, Switzerland, Germany, Australia and Denmark leading the peloton now.
Attack in peloton
Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (RSA)
She is a real danger and Ellen van Dijk (NED) isn't letting her go at all.
New attack in peloton
Mireia Benito (ESP)
Linda Zanetti (SUI)
But all back together again.
Bike change
Niamh Fisher-Black (NZL)
Mechanical
Niamh Fisher-Black (NZL)
She's only just got the bike and she already has an issue. It looks like the battery on her front mech isn't charged. This is so frustrating for her.
Fisher-Black gets a new battery and she is back riding with full use of her gears again.
100km to go
Jenčušová (SVK)
Y. Hashimi (AFG)
Gafinovitz (ISR)
F. Hashimi (AFG)
Nguyễn (VTN)
Tserakh (INA)
Chase +3'23"
Zabelinskaya (UZB)
Peloton +5'18"
Heading to the next climb of the day. The Côte de Cernay-la-Ville. The breakaway are working very well together now.
Interesting issue for Yulduz Hashimi (AFG).
Her handlebars have dropped. She'll need them adjusted back and she may have to do it while on the move.
Bike change
Pfeiffer Georgi (GBR)
Bit of an issue for the British national champion. Smooth change and she's back on the move again.
The fourth categorised climb of Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse is very close for the break. Immediately followed by the Côte de Châteaufort then a few uncategorised lumps before the Côte du Pavé des Gardes. They then head to the laps in Montmartre.
The Netherlands and Belgium have now upped the pace once again as they get closer to Paris once more. It is getting much more serious as the gap drops from over six minutes to 5'40".
Mechanical
Nora Jenčušová (SVK)
All her breakaway companions were trying to help her to get her chain back on but she had to stop and managed to get her chain back on in a huge gear but it back riding again.
80km to go
The break have +4'10" on Zabelinskaya (UZB) and +4'32" on the peloton. Several riders from the smaller cycling nations are losing touch on these short sharp climbs. Just over halfway to go.
(Image credit: Zac Williams/SWpix.com)
Caught
Olga Zabalinskaya (UZB)
She just went way too late and had too much to do. The 44 year old is now back in the peloton.
Yulduz Hashimi (AFG) is finally getting her handlebars sorted and back in the right position.
Behind, the Netherlands are joined by Poland on the front of the peloton.
Crash!
Marcela Prieto (MEX)
She is already back riding.
Van Dijk (NED) currently guiding the peloton to the final climb before heading to the Montmartre circuit. She has single handily brought the gap down to +3'46" up to the break.
70km to go
The six rider break still have +3'21" on the Van Dijk (NED) peloton and it is closing all the time. Peloton have control of the race here.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Attack in break
F. Hashimi (AFG)
Tserakh (INA)
They distance the rest of the group on the final climb before the race heads back into Paris.
Crash!
Margot Vanpachtenbeke (BEL)
Milagro Mena (CRC)
Attack in peloton
Mavi Garcia (ESP)
Marianne Vos (NED)
Naomi Rüegg (SUI)
Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (RSA)
Liane Lippert (GER)
Closed down by Lizzie Deignan (GBR).
Attack
Anna Henderson (GBR)
The silver medalist in the time trial is quickly closed down by Demi Vollering (NED).
Mechanical
Kim Le Court (MAU)
Such a shame as she made the selection of the big names over that climb. She may hold on for the descent as the group as shrunk dramatically.
Attack
Jelena Erić (SRB)
She is quickly closed down as well.
Wave after wave of attacks now. Several moves by Team GB too. Then Italy with Elena Cecchini launching a move but everything is being followed.
France now come to the front of the peloton and a small group gets a tiny gap but Hanson (AUS) closes the Berteau (FRA) led group.
Attack
Anna Henderson (GBR)
She gets a small gap then Vos (NED) launches a big move with Lach (POL) joining her.
Vos (NED) drags Henderson (GBR) back just as the peloton rejoins them.
Attack
Lauretta Hanson (AUS)
Silvia Persico (ITA)
Cordon-Ragot (FRA) leading the chase, though.
60km to go
Just 1'29" up to the breakaway that are almost back together again. The peloton slows up for the time being.
Atttack
Paula Patiño (COL)
Mireia Benito (ESP)
Julie van de Velde (BEL)
Closed down again, though.
Immediate counter attack by Megan Armitage (IRE) and then Vos (NED) launches a new move.
This is absolute carnage on the streets of Paris. So many attacks in the peloton. Nothing sticking for the time being, though.
They catch the first part of the break. Just one rider left at the front.
Cecchini (ITA) launches again as they are caught by the bunch. So many riders immediately jumping on moves, so we now have a brief hiatus.
50km to go
Hanna Tserakh (INA) is actually still with Fariba Hashimi (AFG) 24" ahead of the peloton as Spain now set the pace for Mavi Garcia into the final 50km of the race.
Alison Jackson (CAN) before the start today: "I'm going to win by tactics, not by being the strongest out there. We'll see if we can be smart enough to get on the podium"
Chloe Dygert (USA) before the start today: "I'm just kind of taking it day by day. We still have the team pursuit coming. So I'm gonna really just play it smart today I hope to have good legs and just take care of my leg as well.
"The Team Pursuit is a team event so I'm really going to make sure that I'm there for them. I'll do what I can today. Kristen Faulkner is here too, so we have a really strong team and we have a lot of cards to play and so hopefully, either one of us can get across the finish line first."
Hanson (AUS) now on the front for Brown (AUS) as they edge closer to the Côte de la butte Montmartre.
Faulkner (USA) launched a big move and drags the breakaway back as they head onto the Côte de la butte Montmartre.
(Image credit: Alex Broadway/Getty Images)
Attack
Mavi Garcia (ESP)
She is being followed by a long line of riders as they ride through this wall of noise on the cobbled climb. The peloton is shrinking all the time.
Vollering (NED), Wiebes (NED) and Kopecky (BEL) all missing from the lead group. The crash happened at the absolute worst moment. Deignan (GBR) and Henderson (GBR) just off the back of the leaders with Georgi (GBR) in the lead group.
The pace slackens in the lead group and it may mean that Kopecky (BEL) can get back in. She is just off the back at the moment by about 15".
Vollering (NED) trying to bring Wiebes (NED) back with Niewiadoma (POL) also in that group. They are about 30" off the back of the leaders for the moment.
Lead group:
Henderson (GBR)
Georgi (GBR)
Deignan (GBR)
Kopecky (BEL)
Vos (NED)
Longo Borghini (ITA)
Ruegg (SUI)
Faulkner (USA)
Lippert (GER)
Vas (HUN)
The French have really missed out here.
All of the French team leading group three on the road. Nightmare for them.
40km to go
The race is in bits and the leaders have 40" on the Vollering (NED)/Wiebes (NED) group and 54" on the Labous (FRA) group.
So far, Great Britain have ridden this perfectly. Georgi is being guided perfectly by Deignan and Henderson.
Behind, Cordon-Ragot (FRA) does her bit and pulls over with Berteau (FRA) now pulling for Labous (FRA) as they are just off the back of the Vollering (NED), Wiebes (NED), Schweiberger (AUS), Brown (AUS), Niewiadoma (POL) group.
Labous (FRA) is now solo as she is trying to get to the Vollering (NED) group but she is distanced and can't get to the group.
Berteau (FRA) has made it to the Vollering (NED) group but Labous (FRA) can't handle the pace at the moment and is out of the back.
The leading group aren't working well together at the moment but Deignan (GBR) comes back to the front for Georgi (GBR). Henderson (GBR) is still in there as well but is taking a breather at the back of the group.
Deignan (GBR) really pushing the pace through some technical corners and puts a gap in between her and the group and she is getting frustrated with Faulkner (USA) who isn't able to keep up so she slows up.
Attack
Anna Henderson (GBR)
Mavi Garcia (ESP)
Marianne Vos (NED)
Blanka Vas (HUN)
Unsurprisingly, it doesn't get away.
30km to go
Henderson (GBR) now starts pacing with 48" back to the chase group with has a lot of big names in including Vollering and Wiebes of the Netherlands, Niewiadoma of Poland, Brown of Australia among others.
Attack
Anna Henderson (GBR)
Mavi Garcia (ESP)
Marianne Vos (NED)
Lach (POL) chasing that down. Nobody wants to let Vos (NED) run away with this one.
Longo-Borghini (ITA) closes it down again just as they go onto the Côte de la butte Montmartre for the penultimate time.
Dropped
Lizzie Deignan (GBR)
Attack
Mavi Garcia (ESP)
The Spanish veteran is absolutely flying today. She is on some exceptional form and is going clear with no-one able to follow for the moment.
Lorena Wiebes (NED) leading a move in the chasing group behind with Kasia Niewiadoma (POL) and Karoline Anderssen (SWE). Can they close 50"?
Dropped from lead group
Anna Henderson (GBR)
Marta Lach (POL)
Team GB now only have Pfeiffer Georgi in the lead group now Henderson and Deignan get distanced. Lach fighting to try and get back on.
Attack
Pfeiffer Georgi (GBR)
Garcia (ESP) caught and the British leader solos over the top of the Montmartre climb and she is on some form. Kopecky (BEL), Vos (NED) and Longo-Borghini (ITA) not committing to the chase yet.
Vas (HUN) is now committing to drag Georgi (GBR) on this technical descent along with Kopecky (BEL) as Lach (POL) makes it back on again.
Mechanical
Marta Lach (POL)
So frustrating for her as she had just made it back onto the main group of favourites.
Georgi (GBR) is caught and there is a brief hiatus in the lead group with Kopecky (BEL) on the front.
Attack
Elisa Longo-Borghini (ITA)
Everyone jumps onto the wheel of the Italian star. She's going nowhere.
Anna Henderson (GBR) and Lizzie Deignan (GBR) are coming back to the lead grpup which is good news for the pacing in this bunch.
Attack!
Lizzie Deignan (GBR)
A move by Vos (NED) and Vas (HUN) lead the chase as Faulkner (USA) leads the chasing group.
Lotte Kopecky (BEL) now forced to chase in the chasing group. The problem for Deignan (GBR) is that she has been dropped twice already and is now dropped by Vas (HUN) and Vos (NED).
Attack in chase
Longo-Borghini (ITA)
Kopecky (BEL)
Georgi (GBR)
All can follow the move with Henderson and Deignan of GB just off the back. Lippert (GER) dropped.
20km to go
Vas (HUN) and Vos (NED) have 16" on the next group with Kopecky (BEL) and co then 1'19" to the Wiebes (NED) group.
Henderson and Deignan come back again and start working for Georgi as well as Kopecky (BEL) and Longo-Borghini (ITA).
Marianne Vos (NED) and Blanka Vas (HUN) are working superbly well together here as they now have 27" gap on the chasing group. Meanwhile, the Wiebes (NED) group is just around 30" off the Team GB led group.
Lizzie Deignan and Anna Henderson of Great Britain are now properly dropped by the chase group.
Oh! Also, Elisa Longo-Borghini (ITA) is distanced as well! That is very surprising. Niewiadoma (POL) launching an attack in group three on the road to try and get up towards the medals again.
Vos (NED) and Vas (HUN) are still working really well together with 13km to go and 25" back to the chase.
(Image credit: Zac Williams/SWpix.com)
Niewiadoma (POL) joins Deignan (GBR) and Henderson (GBR).
10km to go
Marianne Vos (NED) and Blanka Vas (HUN) go onto the Côte de la butte Montmartre for the final time. Vas isn't pulling through as hard as Vos would quite like but here we go, onto the cobbles. 30" back to the chasers.
Dropped from chasers
Rüegg (SUI)
Georgi (GBR)
Garcia (ESP)
Faulkner (USA) and Kopecky (BEL) are flying up this climb and have closed the gap to just 17"!
Vos (NED) and Vas (HUN) go over the top but Kopecky (BEL) and Faulkner (USA) are just around the corner! This could come down to four riders. in the final 8km.
Vos (NED) looks like she is on her limit whereas Vas (HUN) looks super smooth. However, just 5" back to Kopecky (BEL) and Faulkner (USA).
It has been an epic performance by Team GB but they will miss out on a medal here. Incredible crowds once again in Montmartre.
(Image credit: Zac Williams/SWpix.com)
Kopecky (BEL) stalling in the chase as she tries to use Faulkner (USA) but she does eventually come through to help the American rider.
5km to go
The three medals are going to be fought for by four riders! But, will Bronze be decided between Kopecky (BEL) and Faulkner (USA), or... Will they be in the fight for gold and silver too? Just 3" gap up to Vos (NED) and Vas (HUN).
4km to go. Kopecky (BEL) has put in an incredible ride after being involved in the Dygert (USA) crash and maybe that means she won't be able to take gold? They are just 2" off the leaders now.
Front groups join
Contact!
Faulkner (USA) and Kopacky (BEL) make it back to Vas (HUN) and Vos (NED).
Attack
Kristen Faulkner (USA)
Vas (HUN) can't follow and that's it!! 3km to go and the American has taken gold. There is no way they're coming back to her now. Gold is going to the USA.
2km to go and this is so well deserved. She has had the absolutely perfect race here for her. Faulkner (USA) has been gifted the gap yet again. Will they ever learn? Do not give her a gap!
Flamme Rouge
Kristen Faulkner (USA) is riding to an amazing gold medal. The former rower from Alaska is powering to victory as she distanced Vos (NED), Kopecky (BEL) and Vas (HUN) who all look at each other 28" behind her.
500 metres to go for Kristen Faulkner (USA).
Kristen Faulkner is the Olympic Champion at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Gold for USA and Kristen Faulkner!
I don't even think she knows she's won!
It is a photo finish between the three riders behind and we will have to wait to see who took silver and bronze between Vos (NED), Vas (HUN) and Kopecky (BEL).
The Medals
Gold - Kristen Faulkner (USA)
Silver - Marianne Vos (Netherlands)
Bronze - Lotte Kopecky (Belgium)
Top 10
1. Kristen Faulkner (USA) 3:59'23"
2. Marianne Vos (NED) +58"
3. Lotte Kopecky (BEL)
4. Blanka Vas (HUN) all S.T.
5. Pfeiffer Georgi (GBR) +1'21"
6. Mavi Garcia (ESP) +1'23"
7. Noemi Rüegg (SUI) +2'04"
8. Kasia Niewiadoma (POL) +2'44"
9. Elisa Longo-Borghini (ITA) +3'05"
10. Marta Lach (POL) +3'27"
(Image credit: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com)
What an incredible moment for Faulkner (USA).
"It's a dream come true... It's the best feeling in the world. I don't know how to describe it."
(Image credit: Getty Images)
We can't have an Olympic road race without this stunning shot as Faulkner (USA) crossed the line and took gold.
"I feel like it’s a dream come true. I took a really big risk a few years ago to come to pursue my dream and I made it happen. It's the best feeling in the world, I don't know how to describe it."
Did you hope to win solo?
"I had high hopes. I’m racing team pursuit in two days and so I said I’d only do the road race if I felt strong and felt I had a chance of a medal. I knew that it would be a really tough race but if I was racing, I was racing to win. That was a promise I made to my team pursuit teammates."
What was the plan with the final?
"I knew that Kopeckly wanted to catch the front two, so I knew she’d ride with me. I also knew that if we caught them, then I had to attack because I couldn’t beat any of them at the line. I knew the best place to attack was right after we caught them and everyone was tied. That was my chance. I practised my late attack several times this year, so I felt pretty comfortable with how to do it. I just hoped it worked."
Did you know you’d won?
"I was pretty sure I’d won but it was like ‘what in the world just happened?’ I couldn’t process it. It took me a few minutes. I had to double and triple check that I won gold. I knew it but I didn’t know it."
(Image credit: Tim de WaeleGetty Images)
Make sure you have a read of our post race report by clicking the link below...
