The cycling community is already buzzing with anticipation for the 2024 road season, despite the current focus on cyclocross. The schedules for top riders like Mathieu van der Poel, Jasper Philipsen, Wout van Aert, Remco Evenepoel, and Tadej Pogacar are gradually taking shape.
Mathieu van der Poel
Mathieu van der Poel, fresh off a commanding cyclocross return, will focus on the cross season before hitting the road. His spring calendar mirrors previous years, targeting Milan-San Remo, the Tour of Flanders, and Paris-Roubaix. The summer poses a challenging schedule with the Tour de France and the Olympic Games, leading him to ponder his participation options.
Jasper Philipsen
Jasper Philipsen, the 2023 season’s victory king, aims to maintain his winning streak. His 2024 calendar will likely include spring classics like Milan-San Remo, Gent-Wevelgem, and Paris-Roubaix, followed by the Tour de France, where he aims to defend his green jersey. His participation in the Olympic Games is tentative, given stiff competition for limited spots.
Jonas Vingegaard
Jonas Vingegaard, the formidable contender and rival to Tadej Pogacar, is setting his sights solely on the Tour de France in 2024, aiming for a potential third consecutive victory. Vingegaard’s precise preparation races remain speculative, but following his 2023 pattern, he may start in races like O Gran Camiño, Paris-Nice, the Tour of the Basque Country, and the Critérium du Dauphiné. Additionally, he’s expressed interest in the Olympics, although his participation isn’t assured. To bolster his chances at the World Championships in Zurich, Vingegaard might direct his focus towards this event after the Tour.
Wout van Aert
Wout van Aert faces a crucial year, prioritising a successful spring campaign over cyclo-cross. He plans to compete in the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, possibly skipping Milan-San Remo and other spring classics. His debut in the Giro d’Italia is set, though not with GC ambitions but as a stage hunter. Van Aert may skip the Tour de France, focusing instead on the Olympics and potentially contesting the Vuelta ahead of the World Championships in Zurich.
Remco Evenepoel
Remco Evenepoel will experience his first Tour de France, beginning with the Volta ao Algarve. He aims to gain French racing experience through Paris-Nice and the Critérium du Dauphiné. His 2024 season is focused on Liège-Bastogne-Liège, the Tour, the Olympics, and possibly the World Championships. Evenepoel has abandoned the idea of a Giro-Tour double for a more selective racing calendar.
Tadej Pogacar
Tadej Pogacar is set to tackle both the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France in 2024, a first for the UAE Emirates rider. His spring season includes Strade Bianche, Tirreno-Adriatico, Milan-San Remo, the Tour of Catalonia, and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Post-Tour, his attention turns to the Olympics, World Championships, and the Tour of Lombardy.
These riders’ itineraries highlight a mix of traditional classics, Grand Tours, and major international events, promising an exciting and diverse cycling season ahead.
