The Royal Dutch Cycling Union (KNWU) has recently made preparations for the 2024 Olympic Games by scouting venues in and around Paris. Their agenda included assessing logistical challenges, visiting courses, and exploring the routes for the road races, with several Dutch female cyclists in attendance.
The delegation’s tour included the venues designated for track cycling, mountain biking, and BMX, although it was noted that the BMX venue is not yet fully prepared. The representatives also tested various routes between the hotels and the Olympic village, and visited the Dutch embassy in Paris to develop contacts concerning logistics for the upcoming games in the French capital, where they gained valuable insights.
Notably, the delegation featured national coach Loes Gunnewijk and six cyclists who are on the provisional list to represent the Netherlands in next year’s Olympic road race. Among them were Ellen van Dijk, Charlotte Kool, Riejanne Markus, Demi Vollering, Marianne Vos, and Lorena Wiebes. This ensemble explored the cyclists’ hotel, surveyed the surroundings, and rode both the opening loop and the road race course.
Ellen van Dijk, in particular, shared her impressions on social media, expressing enthusiasm about the courses, describing them as ‘very nice’, ‘fast’, and ‘almost flat’. Van Dijk underlined the varied scenarios that could unfold during the road race and conveyed the thrill of cycling past Parisian highlights.
Selection Still Open for Dutch Cyclists
Authorities at the KNWU have emphasized that although these cyclists are on the longlist for Paris 2024, the final selection has not yet been made. The definitive team announcement will be made by the national coach alongside technical director Wilbert Broekhuizen in May. The Netherlands will send four female road cyclists to France, two of whom will also participate in the time trial. The male contingent will consist of three for the road race and one for the time trial.
The visit also marked the first public team appearances for Van Dijk after her pregnancy and for Vos following a new operation on her iliac artery that has kept her out of this cyclocross season.
