Cycling at the 2016 Summer Olympics

Lore & Background

The cycling programme at the 2016 Summer Olympics included road cycling, track cycling, mountain biking, and BMX, held at four venues in Rio de Janeiro. The road race started and finished at Fort Copacabana in the Copacabana Cluster, while the time trial took place at Pontal in the Barra Cluster. Track cycling was held at the Rio Olympic Velodrome, also in the Barra Cluster, and BMX and mountain biking were contested at the Olympic BMX Centre and Mountain Bike Centre, both in the Deodoro Cluster.

Since the 1896 contests, which featured five track events and an 87 km road race from Athens to Marathon and back, Olympic cycling had gradually evolved to include women's competitions, mountain biking, and BMX, resulting in the current eighteen events. In February 2013, the International Cycling Union (UCI) announced its intention to petition the IOC to extend the programme by three events, but in August 2013 the IOC stated the programme would be the same as in 2012, so no changes were made for 2016.

At least one record was set: the women's team pursuit Olympic record. After the 2012–13 track cycling season, the UCI changed the women's 3000 metre team pursuit discipline for 3 riders into a format of 4000 metres with 4 riders. Great Britain's Jason Kenny matched compatriot Chris Hoy as the most successful male cyclist in Olympic history, with six gold medals and a silver over three Games.

Reader's Guide

The 2016 Olympic cycling competitions continued a tradition dating back to 1896, showcasing the sport's evolution from five track events and a road race to eighteen events including women's competitions, mountain biking, and BMX. The programme remained unchanged from 2012 despite a UCI petition to add three events. The venues were distributed across Rio's clusters, with road events at Copacabana and Barra, track cycling at the Barra Velodrome, and off-road disciplines in Deodoro. Brazil, as host, received a guaranteed quota place if it failed to qualify otherwise. Notable achievements included a women's team pursuit Olympic record and Jason Kenny tying Chris Hoy's record for most gold medals by a male cyclist. The 2016 Games underscored cycling's enduring Olympic presence and its adaptation to new disciplines, while the unchanged programme highlighted the IOC's cautious approach to event expansion.

Did You Know?

• Cycling has been contested at every Summer Olympics since 1896.
• The 2016 programme was identical to the 2012 Olympics despite a UCI petition for three new events.
• The women's team pursuit was changed from 3000 metres with 3 riders to 4000 metres with 4 riders after the 2012–13 season.
• Great Britain's Jason Kenny matched Chris Hoy as the most successful male Olympic cyclist, with six gold medals and a silver.