The Olympic men's road race started Saturday in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower.

As at the World Championships, the athletes will be dressed in their new kits at the Olympics. Each country's kit is designed to reflect either its national flag or, in the case of Australia, Italy, Belgium, and the Netherlands, colors that are part of that country's identity.

Biniam Girmay, the only competitor from Eritrea, wore a kit that accurately reflected the blue of the ocean, the green of agriculture, and the red of the national flag, which symbolizes the country's struggle for independence. The gold bands on his neck, legs, and arms may represent the Tour de France green jersey winner's ambition to medal in the men's road race.

Cycling News chose the best and worst selections of other team kits.

The host country went with a very attractive red-white-blue fade - like the other French Olympic teams, the cycling kit is cool without looking too flag-like. Very beautiful.

The Thai flag is also red, white, and blue, but the kit is a cheerful bright yellow with large blue accent panels scattered throughout.

Yellow is also the color of King Vajiralongkorn of Thailand. Tanakan Chaiyasombat, above, stands out among the Paris peloton.

Like Belgium, Canada does not stick to the red and white of its flag, but uses a light blue background. According to Canadian Cycling Magazine, the colors represent the three oceans that Canada touches.

The Australian kit is part of a long tradition of yellow and green sports kits.

Whether derived from the native golden wattle flower or from the beaches and forests of the country Down Under, Australia's kit for the 2024 Paris Games is one of the most distinctive.

Great Britain seems to have played it safe with its kit design. Rather than running around with the Union Jack on their backs, they may have preferred to hide in the shadows of major championship contenders like Belgium and the Netherlands.

There is certainly not much in the peloton that makes them stand out.

Mongolia's Jambaljamts Sainbayar, the country's first Olympian in cycling, wore a cool flag-inspired kit. Sky blue and red create a vibrant combination. It's a classic look.

Serbia boldly wore the kit of Ognjen Ilic, the only athlete from his country in the men's road race. The jersey is reminiscent of the old AG2R La Mondiale kit that was always favored.

Ireland faded the traditional green of the flag into a sea-themed blue and teal kit. It is a wonderful mix of Irish beauty, evoking the waves lapping beneath the Cliffs of Moher.

Panama was not afraid to use red, white, and blue, but Franklin Archibald's kit above lacks the flag's star and quarter pattern.

The dark blue sleeves in particular look clean and sharp, and the white stripes between the red and blue remind one of the Panama Canal.

Team USA's cycling kit falls a bit flat compared to its rivals. White works well in the summer heat, but there is a noticeable lack of symbolism--only on U-S-A. The dark blue armband makes one wonder what they are mourning.

The Dutch used orange, the traditional color of the Orange-Nassau family.

Red, white, and blue stripes are a new feature, but quite subdued compared to Belgium's bold graphics.

The blue of the Belgian cycling kit is not as prominent as the Dutch orange, but it is a long tradition that is also linked to the country's royal family.

There is also speculation that the blue may derive from the 20th century team's sponsorship. This year's black and red shoulder strips and yellow arms remind me more than ever of the Belgian flag. The bundle also looks fabulous.

It's a shame that defending champion Richard Carapaz is not in Paris, but Honatan Narvaez looked fantastic in his Ecuadorian kit. The colors of the flag are subtle, with bright yellow armbands against the blue.

Hungary looked as modern and bold as Serbia, with Attila Valter's red fade and big HUN looking good.

Luxembourg's Alex Hirsch's kit design was questionable. The red mass is supposedly a modern representation of the lion's head on the Luxembourg flag, but it doesn't look like it.

Sadly, he appears to be in need of medical assistance.

The Slovenian cycling kit for the Olympics is similar to previous national team kits, a stunning blend of lime green and blue.

Unfortunately, Tadej Pogachal is not in Paris.