The time trial, an individual event in a team sport

Cycling, a sport that is both ancestral and modern, has its roots in the first bicycle races organized in the 19th century. The bicycle, a revolutionary invention, quickly popularized the sport, leading to the creation of national and then international federations, including the International Cycling Union in 1900.

At the Olympic Games, road cycling has two main events: the road race and the individual time trial. The road race, marked by complex tactics and endurance efforts, is often decided on final sprints after kilometers of strategy. On the other hand, the time trial highlights the individual qualities of the riders, combining consistency, concentration and power over shorter distances and alone. Since its inclusion in the Games in 1896, road cycling has evolved, welcoming women in 1984 and adding the time trial in 1996, opening the doors for professional cyclists to compete at the highest Olympic level.