January 16/15 12:05 pm - Rio 2016 Road Race Course Revised

Posted by Editor on 01/16/15
 

The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) is pleased to confirm that the Men's and Women's Rio 2016 Olympic Road Race course has been adapted and will now start and finish at the Fort of the iconic Copacabana beach.

With a combination of steep climbs and descents and long flat coastal sections, the Road Race will pass through some of the most picturesque parts of the city including the start/finish in Copacabana, as well as Ipanema, São Conrado, Barra da Tijuca, Grumari and Vista Chinesa. The total race distance is 256.4km for men and 130.3km for women.

The route will also take in the Grumari circuit with a steep climb and a 2km cobble stone section. Then return towards Copacabana with a challenging circuit that climbs and descends through the stunning Tijuca Forest and passes the Vista Chinesa monument, one of the best landscape viewpoints in Rio. The Men's race will take place on Saturday, August 6th, with the Women's race taking place on Sunday, August 7th.

The 29.8km Time Trial route will also pass through the beaches and forests of the Grumari countryside in the picturesque Pontal region in the west of the city. The Time Trial will start and finish at Praça Tim Maia at Pedra do Pontal and will include a 1.2km hill climb. The new facilities, which will be used exclusively for the Time Trial event, will be at the heart of the Olympic action and the temporary venue is one of 15 to be located in the Barra Zone.

The men's race will complete two laps of the course (totalling 54.5km) while the women's race will complete one lap of the same course.

UCI President Brian Cookson said "The UCI has been working in close collaboration with the Rio 2016 Organizing Committee and Mayor Paes and we welcome the modifications to the Road Race route which will now start and finish at the renowned Fort Copacabana. The combination of the stunning scenery and the stern challenge that the Road Race and Time Trial courses will provide will deliver a fantastic spectacle for cycling fans and we're looking forward with anticipation and excitement to the start of the Games."

As announced in December, the Men's and Women's Road Race will:

• Include long coastal sections alongside Copacabana, Ipanema, Barra and Reserva Beaches;

• Include laps of the Grumari Circuit (one lap for women and four laps for men). The Grumari circuit includes two climbs: Grumari, a narrow climb and descent in a forested area which averages 7% gradient over 1.2km with a maximum gradient of 13%; and the Grota Funda climb which averages 4.5% gradient over 2.1km with a maximum gradient of 6%. The circuit also includes a cobble stone section of 2km.

• Include laps of the Canoas/Vista Chinesa Circuit (one for women and three for men). The circuit starts with the Canoas climb continuing with the Vista Chinesa climb over 8.9km followed by a technical descent of 6km. Vista Chinesa is a monument located in Tijuca National Park.

Courtesy UCI