Meet the American men ready to take on the world in road cycling
It was only three years ago when Brandon McNulty found himself ahead of the world’s best cyclists, along with Olympic champion Richard Carapaz of Ecuador, after a daring breakaway move on the final descent towards the finish line of the Tokyo 2020 road race. He found the pace unsustainable, however, and was caught by the chasing pack before the finish line, leaving him without a medal following his valiant effort in Tokyo.
The 26-year-old from Phoenix, Arizona has accumulated many accolades in the years following that race, including stage wins at the Giro d’Italia, Paris-Nice and UAE Tour. With his selection to the US road cycling team, he will get a chance to avenge his Olympic loss in Paris.
McNulty will enter the time trial as a medal prospect after a fourth place finish at the 2023 UCI Road Cycling World Championships, and recent stage wins at the Tour de Romandie and Paris-Nice. His climbing and attacking abilities will make him a double threat in the road race.
He told USA Cycling, “I was really excited to go to the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo. That top result – 6th in the road race – just motivates me all the more. The race was super aggressive, I relive it all the time. At home in Arizona and Girona, I’m already training with 100% focus on Paris. My goal? Bring back a medal!”
McNulty will be joined in the road race by Ma****gnus Sheffield, who will look to continue a phenomenal comeback season following a horrific crash that left him hospitalized and sidelined from the second half of the 2023 season.
The 22-year-old from Pittsford, New York recently completed his first Grand Tour, the 2024 Giro d’Italia, finishing 20th in the young rider classification. He singled out competing at the Olympic Games as one of his main goals for the 2024 season.
“It feels like a dream come true,” Sheffield told USA Cycling. “Going to the Olympics was one of my biggest goals growing up. I’m incredibly proud to represent the U.S. in Paris as well as all the people that have helped me along the way. I don’t think it will fully sink in until I’m there.”
The Olympics also left an indelible mark on a young Matteo Jorgenson, who told USA Cycling, “The Olympics were always a part of my childhood. I remember spending entire summers watching sports I had never heard of and admiring the athletes. For sure it had a big effect on me and was one of the reasons I decided to pursue a career as a pro athlete. Being able to race in Paris, especially following the best year of my career, is a dream come true.”
The 24-year-old from Boise, Idaho will represent Team USA in the road race and time trial. An all-around rider, he will be a tough competitor in both events.
Jorgenson became only the third American rider to win Paris-Nice earlier this season, before adding a victory at Dwars door Vlaanderen to his resume. He also finished second behind Tokyo 2020 time trial champion Primož Roglič at the recently completed Critérium du Dauphiné. He will race across Italy and France, competing in the Tour de France, before turning his attention to the road race and time trial at Paris 2024.
Source link : https://olympics.com/en/news/taylor-knibb-double-duty-alongside-world-champion-chloe-dygert
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Publish date : 2024-06-21 18:34:00
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