The first cycling medals will be awarded at the 2024 Paris Olympics in the women's individual time trial and men's individual time trial on Saturday.

The 35 women will race at 2:30 p.m. Central European Time, while the 34 men will race at 4:32 p.m. local French time. Annemiek van Grooten of the Netherlands won the women's time trial in Tokyo, but retired in 2023.

Medal contenders in Paris include Chloe Dygert of the United States, Ellen van Dijk of the Netherlands, Grace Brown of Australia, Filippo Ganna of Italy, Remco Evenpole of Belgium, and Josh Tarling of Great Britain. All are experienced and strong time triallists.

Here are the start lists and start times for the women's and men's time trials.

Here is Cycling News' analysis of the leading time trialists.

Friday's opening ceremony was marred by unexpectedly heavy rain.

The rain is expected to lift by the afternoon when the women's and men's competitions will take place, but the city center streets, especially the Bois de Vincennes park at the halfway point, are likely to remain wet. Potholes, rough city center streets, and fallen leaves on the park's roads will add to the danger.

“I just hope that if it rains, everyone will be in the same condition, instead of only the last 20 having to run on wet roads,” said Evenpoel after describing the opening and closing 5 km of the course in central Paris as “a shitty course.” said

“Fortunately, it's not a technical course, which helps. That said, there are some long, fast corners, and they can slide out easier than the slower corners."

The course was also ‘a bit of a challenge for the drivers,’

and ”it was a bit of a challenge for the drivers.

According to Het Laatste Nieuws, Wout Van Aert decided to use the rarely seen double disc wheels in the time trial.

The Belgian rider was spotted using this setup on Wednesday's reconnaissance ride.

Cycling News has confirmed that there is little wind in central Paris, and the suggestion that Van Aert will use double discs and take a calculated risk to gain a few seconds on his rivals appears to be true.

Time trial gearing has changed in recent years, with more riders opting for larger gears and single chainrings. While the men can expect to race at an average speed of 55 km/h, or even faster depending on the section, the women will be a bit slower and will risk just as much to gain a few seconds on their rivals

Ganna will either use a 64-tooth chainring or an even larger 68-tooth chainrings. Tarling, riding Pinarello's new Bolide bike, is also expected to use a huge 68-tooth chainring.

Van Aert may also go bigger, and Evenpoel will use a 64-tooth chainring.

“Ganna and Tarling are not alone,” Evenpoel said Thursday as he spoke, looking sideways at Van Aert.

“[What's next? 70'] It's not going to happen, you'll hit the ground when you turn right.

“I'll tell you Saturday evening if I like it or not,” Van Art said.