Imagine pushing your body to its absolute limit for nearly 40 minutes, your lungs burning, legs screaming, knowing that a single second could be the difference between a gold medal and going home with nothing. That is not an exaggeration.
At the Paris 2024 men’s Time Trial, the gap between the bronze medal winner, Wout van Aert, and fourth place was a heartbreaking 2.16 seconds after more than 36 minutes of racing. That is the razor’s edge they live on. Unlike the road race, where riders can draft and hide in the pack, the time trial is beautifully simple and unbelievably ruthless.
So, how in the world do you even begin to bet on something so intense? We are going to break it all down – from the course and the gear to the riders and the markets. NXTbetswill give you all the insider information you need to make smart wagers.
A trip down the Olympic Time Trial memory lane is all you need to get started.
History of the Event
The time trial has a bit of a bizarre history with the Olympics. It made a few appearances in the early days, from 1912 to 1932, but then vanished from the program for over 60 years.
The real turning point, the moment it became the event we know and love today, was at the 1996 Atlanta Games. This was a huge deal because it was the first time professional cyclists were allowed to compete. And who won that first modern gold? None other than the legendary five-time Tour de France champion Miguel Indurain. That victory immediately gave the event the prestige it enjoys today.
Since then, it has been a showcase for some of the sport’s biggest engines and most iconic personalities. We have seen legends like Switzerland’s Fabian Cancellara (nicknamed Spartacus) dominate the event by winning gold in 2008 and again in 2016. And on the women’s side, you can’t talk about the Olympic TT without mentioning Kristin Armstrong of the USA. She pulled off one of the most incredible feats in the sport, winning three consecutive gold medals in 2008, 2012, and 2016. That is a dynasty.
Format & Rules
The beauty of the time trial is its simplicity. It is super straightforward.
Riders start one by one, usually launching from a start ramp at fixed intervals – at the Paris 2024 games, it was 90 seconds apart. Once you are on the course, you are entirely alone. There is no drafting, which means you can’t tuck in behind another rider to save energy. There are no teammates to help you, no pack to hide in. It is just you, your bike, and the wind. The person who covers the set distance in the fastest time wins. That is it.
It creates this incredible drama where a rider will set the fastest time, then have to sit in what is called the ‘hot seat’ and nervously watch as every subsequent rider tries to knock them off the top spot. It is pure, unfiltered racing.
Men's & Women's Events
Traditionally, the men’s Olympic time trial has been a bit longer than the women’s, with the men’s course usually around 40-50 km and the women’s around 20-30 km.
But Paris 2024 marked a historic and fantastic change. For the first time, the men and women competed on the same course over the same distance: a 32.4 km route through the streets of Paris. It was a big step forward for equality in the sport.
The athletes who excel here are true powerhouses. They are masters of pacing, able to hold an inhuman amount of power for an extended period, all while twisted into an extreme aerodynamic position to cheat the wind. It is a unique and cruel skill set.
Key Factors Influencing Time Trial Results
Like all other cycling events, the Olympic Time Trial has its defining features. What are they?
Course Profile & Technical Sections
Okay, this is probably the most important thing to understand if you want to bet smart. The very first thing you have to do is look at the course map and profile.
A flat, non-technical course, like the one we saw in Paris 2024, is a pure power test. It is a drag race. On a course like this, gravity isn’t much of a factor, so a rider’s weight is less of a penalty. It all comes down to who can produce the most raw, absolute watts and hold the most aerodynamic position. This is where the prominent, powerful specialists – riders like Italy’s Filippo Ganna – really shine.
But if the course has significant climbs, the entire equation changes. Suddenly, a rider’s power-to-weight ratio (expressed as watts per kilogram or W/kg) becomes the most critical metric. A heavy rider is at a considerable disadvantage going uphill. This brings lighter, more versatile riders who are also strong climbers into the fold.
A technical course with lots of tight turns also changes things, favoring riders with superior bike-handling skills who can carry speed through the corners.
Weather Conditions
You can’t talk about an outdoor sport without talking about the weather. In cycling, it is not just a small factor; it can be the deciding factor. Wind is the most obvious one. A strong headwind will crush a rider’s speed, a tailwind can send them flying, and a crosswind can be downright dangerous, demanding incredible strength and skill to control the bike.
The Paris 2024 time trials were held on wet, slick roads, which immediately put a premium on confidence and bike handling over pure power.
But let’s talk about the silent killer: heat. Think of the human body as an engine. When that engine gets too hot, it has to divert a tremendous amount of energy just to cool itself down. That is energy that is not going into the pedals. Scientific studies have shown that a cyclist’s power output drops significantly in temperatures above 30°C (about 86°F). A scorching hot day can completely overturn the pre-race predictions and turn a favorite into a non-factor.
Equipment and Aerodynamics
In a time trial, the air is your biggest enemy. Riders and their teams spend millions of dollars and countless hours in wind tunnels trying to become invisible to the wind. The key concept here is something called CdA, which stands for the coefficient of aerodynamic drag. In simple terms, it is a number that measures how slippery you and your bike are as you move through the air. The lower your CdA, the faster you can go for the same power output.
This is why you see all the futuristic-looking gear – the sculpted time trial bikes, the solid disc wheels in the back, the long, pointy aero helmets, and the skin-tight suits that look like they were painted on. It is all part of a technological arms race. These are not just fashion statements; they are carefully engineered pieces of equipment designed to save precious watts. And over a 40 km course, those tiny savings add up to massive chunks of time.
Cycling Equipment Time Savings
Equipment
Estimated Time Saved (over 40km)
Aero Position
Up to 6 minutes
Aero Helmet
Up to 2 minutes
Aero Frame
Up to 2.25 minutes
Disc/Tri-Spoke Wheels
Up to 1.5 minutes
Betting Markets for the Olympic Time Trial
Alright, let’s get to the fun part – how you can actually put your money on this stuff. Cycling offers a bunch of different ways to bet, which is great because you can find a market that fits your confidence level and strategy. Here are the key ones:
Outright Winner
If there is any rider you think will win the gold medal, you can bet on them to win it. It is simple to understand, but because only one person can win, it can be tough to predict. The upside? You can often get great odds, even on some of the stronger contenders.
Podium Finish
This is a bit of a safer bet. Instead of picking the outright winner, you are wagering on a rider to finish in the top 3 – gold, silver, or bronze. The odds will be lower than an outright win bet, but your chances of winning your bet are significantly higher. This is a great market for betting on one of the big pre-race favorites.
Top-10 Finish
This market is perfect for those consistent and strong riders who you know will show up but might not have that top-end speed to win. If you have identified a rider who is a rock-solid performer, this is a great way to get some action with a high probability of success.
Head-to-Head Bets
This is a personal favorite market for many fans and punters. It is where you can really use your knowledge to find an edge. The sportsbook will have two riders going against each other, and all you have to do is pick which one will post the faster time. You win as long as your rider is the quickest of the two. It isolates the variables and lets you focus on a single matchup.
Live/In-Play Betting
You can place wagers while the race is actually happening. The odds will shift in real-time based on the intermediate time splits that are shown on screen. If you see a favorite is having a surprisingly slow start, you can get better odds on them mid-race. Or, if you spot an underdog who is absolutely flying through the early checkpoints, you can jump on their odds before the bookmakers fully adjust.
Analyzing Riders & Pre-Olympic Form
You don’t want to get into this without knowing the participants and their current form. It is better to be unlucky than to fail because you did not prepare.
Past Olympic & World Champions
In the time trial, history really matters. Unlike road races, the TT is often dominated by the same powerful riders year after year. Just look at Kristin Armstrong’s incredible three-peat from 2008 to 2016. That is not a fluke; it is a sign that true specialists rise to the top on the biggest stage.
There is also a correlation between the Olympics and the UCI World Championships. The same names consistently appear on both podiums. The 2024 season was the perfect example: Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel and Australia’s Grace Brown both won the gold medal at the Paris Olympics and the World Championship title just a few weeks later. This tells you there is a clear and established hierarchy in the discipline. The best in the world are consistently the best in the world.
Season-long Time Trial Performances
The Olympics is not a one-off performance that comes out of nowhere. You have to look at how riders have been performing all season long. The best indicators of current form are the time trial stages in the big WorldTour stage races, especially the Tour de France, and the results from each rider’s National Championships. These races are the most crucial dress rehearsals for the Olympics and show you who is peaking at the right time.
Specialised Time Trial Riders
When you are looking at the contenders, they generally fall into two camps: the pure specialists and the GC contenders.
The specialists are the riders who live and breathe for the time trial. Their entire season, training, and equipment are all laser-focused on winning a handful of these races against the clock. A rider like Filippo Ganna of Italy, for instance, is a multiple-time world champion in the discipline.
Then you have the GC (General Classification) contenders. These are the riders trying to win the overall title at three-week-long races like the Tour de France – people like Tadej Pogačar or Jonas Vingegaard. To win a Grand Tour, you have to be an incredible time trialist, but you also have to be one of the best climbers in the world.
This creates an interesting dynamic. The Tour de France is the most exhausting endurance event in sports, and it ends just days before the Olympics begin. This means the GC riders come to the Games either at their absolute peak of form or completely and utterly exhausted.
A pure specialist, on the other hand, might have had a much lighter racing schedule, targeting the Olympics as their main goal. This can give them a huge freshness advantage. We saw a perfect example of this in 2024, when Tadej Pogačar, a favorite for the Tour de France, withdrew from the Olympic Time Trial, citing extreme exhaustion. It is a cruel balancing act, and it creates a great betting angle if you can figure out who is fresh and who is fatigued.
Strategies for Betting on the Olympic Time Trial
You must have a strategy that will help you survive this betting market. Who are you going to bet on? When are you going to bet on them? You must research all the Olympic Time Trial riders before placing your wagers.
Pre-Race Research
This is where we put all the pieces together. First, analyze the course profile: is it flat and fast, hilly and demanding, or technical and tricky? Second, check the weather forecast for race day. Third, match the course and conditions to the strengths of the top riders. Is this a day for a pure powerhouse, a lightweight climber, or a skilled bike handler? Finally, review their recent form from the big WorldTour races to see who is hot and who is not.
Timing Your Bets
If you have a strong feeling about a rider weeks or even months before the Olympics, you can always find great odds in the futures market before the public hype starts to build.
Many punters almost always wait until the day before or even the morning of the race to place their main bets. Why? The weather. A last-minute forecast for heavy rain or gusty winds can completely change the dynamic of the race. Waiting until the last possible moment ensures you have the most complete and accurate information before you put your money down.
Diversifying Bets
This is just good advice for any kind of betting. Instead of going all-in on one rider to win, consider building a small portfolio for the race. You could place a small wager on an outright winner. Then, you could place a slightly larger, safer bet on a heavy favorite to finish on the podium. And finally, you can find a head-to-head matchup where you feel you have a real analytical edge. This spreads your risk and gives you multiple ways to have a winning day.
Avoiding Reputation Bias
It is tempting to bet on the big, famous names you recognize. But you have to bet on current form, not past reputation. A rider who won gold four or even eight years ago is not automatically a favorite today. This sport moves incredibly fast, and new talent is always emerging. Respect the legends, but bet with your head. Focus on who is fast right now.
Best Sportsbooks & Promotions for Olympic Time Trial Betting
If you have not figured out where to place your Olympic Time Trial bets, we have some recommendations.
Recommended Bookmakers
When you are ready to place a bet, you want to use a sportsbook that is reliable and offers a good range of options for cycling. Solid choices like Bet365, Unibet, Betway, and DraftKingsare well-known for providing competitive odds and markets for all the major cycling events, including the Olympics.
Of course, here at NXTbets, we partner with the best in the business to bring you the latest sign-up offers and promotions.
Event-Specific Offers
During an event like the Olympics, sportsbooks are all competing for your attention. This is great news for you bettors! Keep an eye out for event-specific bonusesthat can give your bankroll a nice boost. These often include things like enhanced odds (also called odds boosts) on a specific rider to win, risk-free bets where you get your stake back as a bonus bet if you lose, or other cashback offers. It always pays to shop around a little to find the best value for your wager.
Where to Watch the Olympic Time Trial
We understand that you would want to watch how your picks are performing. Where can you do that? Let’s find out:
TV Coverage
The Olympics are a global event, and thankfully, that means there are plenty of ways to watch. In the United States, NBC and its family of networks (like USA Network and CNBC) are the primary broadcasters.
In Europe, Eurosport is the go-to destination for cycling fans. Most other countries will have a main national broadcaster that holds the rights to the Games, so a quick search should tell you where to tune in.
Online Streaming & Live Timing
For those of us who have cut the cord, streaming is the best way to watch. In the US market, every single Olympic event is streamed live on Peacock. Globally, the official Olympic Channel often provides live streams and highlights.
And here is a pro tip for the real data nerds out there: look for the official live timing feeds from the race organizers. These platforms often have data that is a few seconds ahead of the television broadcast. It might not sound like much, but for in-play betting, having that information before the rest of the market can be advantageous.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Betting on Olympic Time Trial
Let’s wrap this up with a quick recap of the biggest pitfalls to sidestep. Think of this as friendly advice to keep you out of trouble.
Ignoring Weather Impact
Don’t be that person who bets on a pure powerhouse rider and then acts shocked when they struggle on a scorching 100-degree day or can’t handle their bike on slick, rainy roads. Always, always check the forecast before you finalize your bets!
Overrating Previous Olympic Winners
Respect the legends, but bet with your head, not your heart. Form is temporary, and class is permanent. But in betting, recent form is what pays the bills. Don’t bet on a name from 2016 if their results in the current season don’t back it up.
Neglecting Course-Equipment Fit
This is the pro move that separates the sharp bettors from the public. Don’t just bet on the rider; bet on the rider-course-equipment combination. A super-aero setup with disc wheels is a massive advantage on a flat course, but it becomes a heavy anchor on a steep mountain climb. Match the tools to the job.
Racing Against the Clock with NXTbets
The Olympic Time Trial is a beautiful intersection of raw human power, cutting-edge technology, and pure, unadulterated strategy. That makes it an incredible opportunity for bettors.
Now you have the tools to start exploring this sport. You know how to analyze the course, understand the weather, appreciate the gear, and spot the difference between a rested specialist and a fatigued champion. You are ready!
As the next big race approaches, make sure you keep it locked right here on NXTbets. Subscribe to our newsletter for all the expert insights, updated odds, and strategies you need to stay ahead of the pack.
It is typically held in the first week of the Olympic Games, mainly before the road race. For instance, the Paris 2024 time trials took place on Saturday, July 27th.
How is the start order determined?
While the specific Olympic rules can vary, the general principle in major time trials is a reverse order of ranking. This means the top-ranked and most favored riders start last. This builds suspense throughout the event, as the best riders have a clear target time to chase.
Who are the top contenders?
The top contenders are almost always the reigning Olympic and World Champions, along with the season's most consistent performers. For the men, this includes riders like Remco Evenepoel (BEL), Filippo Ganna (ITA), and Wout van Aert (BEL). For the women, names like Grace Brown (AUS), Chloe Dygert (USA), and Marlen Reusser (SUI) are always at the top of the list.
Can I bet on both men’s and women’s events?
Absolutely! All major sportsbooks will offer a full slate of betting markets for both the men's and women's Olympic time trials.
What was the Paris 2024 course like, and what kind of rider did it suit?
The Paris 2024 course was a 32.4 km route described as virtually flat and not very technical. This type of course is a pure and raw power test. Without significant climbs, a rider's weight is not a penalty, so it heavily favors the bigger, more powerful specialists who can produce and hold the highest absolute wattage in an aerodynamic position.
The UCI Track Nations Cup is a top-tier international series that draws the world’s best riders to velodromes across the globe. The series’ predecessor, the UCI Track Cycling World Cup, commanded a massive global audience, with the 2019-2020 season alone reaching a cumulated audience of 87.77 million across 113 countries. With a packed schedule of …
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Ultimate Guide to Betting on the Olympic Time Trial
Table of Contents
Imagine pushing your body to its absolute limit for nearly 40 minutes, your lungs burning, legs screaming, knowing that a single second could be the difference between a gold medal and going home with nothing. That is not an exaggeration.
At the Paris 2024 men’s Time Trial, the gap between the bronze medal winner, Wout van Aert, and fourth place was a heartbreaking 2.16 seconds after more than 36 minutes of racing. That is the razor’s edge they live on. Unlike the road race, where riders can draft and hide in the pack, the time trial is beautifully simple and unbelievably ruthless.
So, how in the world do you even begin to bet on something so intense? We are going to break it all down – from the course and the gear to the riders and the markets. NXTbets will give you all the insider information you need to make smart wagers.
Offer Score
Offer Score
Offer Score
Offer Score
Offer Score
Offer Score
Overview of the Olympic Time Trial
A trip down the Olympic Time Trial memory lane is all you need to get started.
History of the Event
The time trial has a bit of a bizarre history with the Olympics. It made a few appearances in the early days, from 1912 to 1932, but then vanished from the program for over 60 years.
The real turning point, the moment it became the event we know and love today, was at the 1996 Atlanta Games. This was a huge deal because it was the first time professional cyclists were allowed to compete. And who won that first modern gold? None other than the legendary five-time Tour de France champion Miguel Indurain. That victory immediately gave the event the prestige it enjoys today.
Since then, it has been a showcase for some of the sport’s biggest engines and most iconic personalities. We have seen legends like Switzerland’s Fabian Cancellara (nicknamed Spartacus) dominate the event by winning gold in 2008 and again in 2016. And on the women’s side, you can’t talk about the Olympic TT without mentioning Kristin Armstrong of the USA. She pulled off one of the most incredible feats in the sport, winning three consecutive gold medals in 2008, 2012, and 2016. That is a dynasty.
Format & Rules
The beauty of the time trial is its simplicity. It is super straightforward.
Riders start one by one, usually launching from a start ramp at fixed intervals – at the Paris 2024 games, it was 90 seconds apart. Once you are on the course, you are entirely alone. There is no drafting, which means you can’t tuck in behind another rider to save energy. There are no teammates to help you, no pack to hide in. It is just you, your bike, and the wind. The person who covers the set distance in the fastest time wins. That is it.
It creates this incredible drama where a rider will set the fastest time, then have to sit in what is called the ‘hot seat’ and nervously watch as every subsequent rider tries to knock them off the top spot. It is pure, unfiltered racing.
Men's & Women's Events
Traditionally, the men’s Olympic time trial has been a bit longer than the women’s, with the men’s course usually around 40-50 km and the women’s around 20-30 km.
But Paris 2024 marked a historic and fantastic change. For the first time, the men and women competed on the same course over the same distance: a 32.4 km route through the streets of Paris. It was a big step forward for equality in the sport.
The athletes who excel here are true powerhouses. They are masters of pacing, able to hold an inhuman amount of power for an extended period, all while twisted into an extreme aerodynamic position to cheat the wind. It is a unique and cruel skill set.
Key Factors Influencing Time Trial Results
Like all other cycling events, the Olympic Time Trial has its defining features. What are they?
Course Profile & Technical Sections
Okay, this is probably the most important thing to understand if you want to bet smart. The very first thing you have to do is look at the course map and profile.
A flat, non-technical course, like the one we saw in Paris 2024, is a pure power test. It is a drag race. On a course like this, gravity isn’t much of a factor, so a rider’s weight is less of a penalty. It all comes down to who can produce the most raw, absolute watts and hold the most aerodynamic position. This is where the prominent, powerful specialists – riders like Italy’s Filippo Ganna – really shine.
But if the course has significant climbs, the entire equation changes. Suddenly, a rider’s power-to-weight ratio (expressed as watts per kilogram or W/kg) becomes the most critical metric. A heavy rider is at a considerable disadvantage going uphill. This brings lighter, more versatile riders who are also strong climbers into the fold.
A technical course with lots of tight turns also changes things, favoring riders with superior bike-handling skills who can carry speed through the corners.
Weather Conditions
You can’t talk about an outdoor sport without talking about the weather. In cycling, it is not just a small factor; it can be the deciding factor. Wind is the most obvious one. A strong headwind will crush a rider’s speed, a tailwind can send them flying, and a crosswind can be downright dangerous, demanding incredible strength and skill to control the bike.
The Paris 2024 time trials were held on wet, slick roads, which immediately put a premium on confidence and bike handling over pure power.
But let’s talk about the silent killer: heat. Think of the human body as an engine. When that engine gets too hot, it has to divert a tremendous amount of energy just to cool itself down. That is energy that is not going into the pedals. Scientific studies have shown that a cyclist’s power output drops significantly in temperatures above 30°C (about 86°F). A scorching hot day can completely overturn the pre-race predictions and turn a favorite into a non-factor.
Equipment and Aerodynamics
In a time trial, the air is your biggest enemy. Riders and their teams spend millions of dollars and countless hours in wind tunnels trying to become invisible to the wind. The key concept here is something called CdA, which stands for the coefficient of aerodynamic drag. In simple terms, it is a number that measures how slippery you and your bike are as you move through the air. The lower your CdA, the faster you can go for the same power output.
This is why you see all the futuristic-looking gear – the sculpted time trial bikes, the solid disc wheels in the back, the long, pointy aero helmets, and the skin-tight suits that look like they were painted on. It is all part of a technological arms race. These are not just fashion statements; they are carefully engineered pieces of equipment designed to save precious watts. And over a 40 km course, those tiny savings add up to massive chunks of time.
Betting Markets for the Olympic Time Trial
Alright, let’s get to the fun part – how you can actually put your money on this stuff. Cycling offers a bunch of different ways to bet, which is great because you can find a market that fits your confidence level and strategy. Here are the key ones:
Outright Winner
If there is any rider you think will win the gold medal, you can bet on them to win it. It is simple to understand, but because only one person can win, it can be tough to predict. The upside? You can often get great odds, even on some of the stronger contenders.
Podium Finish
This is a bit of a safer bet. Instead of picking the outright winner, you are wagering on a rider to finish in the top 3 – gold, silver, or bronze. The odds will be lower than an outright win bet, but your chances of winning your bet are significantly higher. This is a great market for betting on one of the big pre-race favorites.
Top-10 Finish
This market is perfect for those consistent and strong riders who you know will show up but might not have that top-end speed to win. If you have identified a rider who is a rock-solid performer, this is a great way to get some action with a high probability of success.
Head-to-Head Bets
This is a personal favorite market for many fans and punters. It is where you can really use your knowledge to find an edge. The sportsbook will have two riders going against each other, and all you have to do is pick which one will post the faster time. You win as long as your rider is the quickest of the two. It isolates the variables and lets you focus on a single matchup.
Live/In-Play Betting
You can place wagers while the race is actually happening. The odds will shift in real-time based on the intermediate time splits that are shown on screen. If you see a favorite is having a surprisingly slow start, you can get better odds on them mid-race. Or, if you spot an underdog who is absolutely flying through the early checkpoints, you can jump on their odds before the bookmakers fully adjust.
Analyzing Riders & Pre-Olympic Form
You don’t want to get into this without knowing the participants and their current form. It is better to be unlucky than to fail because you did not prepare.
Past Olympic & World Champions
In the time trial, history really matters. Unlike road races, the TT is often dominated by the same powerful riders year after year. Just look at Kristin Armstrong’s incredible three-peat from 2008 to 2016. That is not a fluke; it is a sign that true specialists rise to the top on the biggest stage.
There is also a correlation between the Olympics and the UCI World Championships. The same names consistently appear on both podiums. The 2024 season was the perfect example: Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel and Australia’s Grace Brown both won the gold medal at the Paris Olympics and the World Championship title just a few weeks later. This tells you there is a clear and established hierarchy in the discipline. The best in the world are consistently the best in the world.
Season-long Time Trial Performances
The Olympics is not a one-off performance that comes out of nowhere. You have to look at how riders have been performing all season long. The best indicators of current form are the time trial stages in the big WorldTour stage races, especially the Tour de France, and the results from each rider’s National Championships. These races are the most crucial dress rehearsals for the Olympics and show you who is peaking at the right time.
Specialised Time Trial Riders
When you are looking at the contenders, they generally fall into two camps: the pure specialists and the GC contenders.
The specialists are the riders who live and breathe for the time trial. Their entire season, training, and equipment are all laser-focused on winning a handful of these races against the clock. A rider like Filippo Ganna of Italy, for instance, is a multiple-time world champion in the discipline.
Then you have the GC (General Classification) contenders. These are the riders trying to win the overall title at three-week-long races like the Tour de France – people like Tadej Pogačar or Jonas Vingegaard. To win a Grand Tour, you have to be an incredible time trialist, but you also have to be one of the best climbers in the world.
This creates an interesting dynamic. The Tour de France is the most exhausting endurance event in sports, and it ends just days before the Olympics begin. This means the GC riders come to the Games either at their absolute peak of form or completely and utterly exhausted.
A pure specialist, on the other hand, might have had a much lighter racing schedule, targeting the Olympics as their main goal. This can give them a huge freshness advantage. We saw a perfect example of this in 2024, when Tadej Pogačar, a favorite for the Tour de France, withdrew from the Olympic Time Trial, citing extreme exhaustion. It is a cruel balancing act, and it creates a great betting angle if you can figure out who is fresh and who is fatigued.
Strategies for Betting on the Olympic Time Trial
You must have a strategy that will help you survive this betting market. Who are you going to bet on? When are you going to bet on them? You must research all the Olympic Time Trial riders before placing your wagers.
Pre-Race Research
This is where we put all the pieces together. First, analyze the course profile: is it flat and fast, hilly and demanding, or technical and tricky? Second, check the weather forecast for race day. Third, match the course and conditions to the strengths of the top riders. Is this a day for a pure powerhouse, a lightweight climber, or a skilled bike handler? Finally, review their recent form from the big WorldTour races to see who is hot and who is not.
Timing Your Bets
If you have a strong feeling about a rider weeks or even months before the Olympics, you can always find great odds in the futures market before the public hype starts to build.
Many punters almost always wait until the day before or even the morning of the race to place their main bets. Why? The weather. A last-minute forecast for heavy rain or gusty winds can completely change the dynamic of the race. Waiting until the last possible moment ensures you have the most complete and accurate information before you put your money down.
Diversifying Bets
This is just good advice for any kind of betting. Instead of going all-in on one rider to win, consider building a small portfolio for the race. You could place a small wager on an outright winner. Then, you could place a slightly larger, safer bet on a heavy favorite to finish on the podium. And finally, you can find a head-to-head matchup where you feel you have a real analytical edge. This spreads your risk and gives you multiple ways to have a winning day.
Avoiding Reputation Bias
It is tempting to bet on the big, famous names you recognize. But you have to bet on current form, not past reputation. A rider who won gold four or even eight years ago is not automatically a favorite today. This sport moves incredibly fast, and new talent is always emerging. Respect the legends, but bet with your head. Focus on who is fast right now.
Best Sportsbooks & Promotions for Olympic Time Trial Betting
If you have not figured out where to place your Olympic Time Trial bets, we have some recommendations.
Recommended Bookmakers
When you are ready to place a bet, you want to use a sportsbook that is reliable and offers a good range of options for cycling. Solid choices like Bet365, Unibet, Betway, and DraftKings are well-known for providing competitive odds and markets for all the major cycling events, including the Olympics.
Of course, here at NXTbets, we partner with the best in the business to bring you the latest sign-up offers and promotions.
Event-Specific Offers
During an event like the Olympics, sportsbooks are all competing for your attention. This is great news for you bettors! Keep an eye out for event-specific bonuses that can give your bankroll a nice boost. These often include things like enhanced odds (also called odds boosts) on a specific rider to win, risk-free bets where you get your stake back as a bonus bet if you lose, or other cashback offers. It always pays to shop around a little to find the best value for your wager.
Where to Watch the Olympic Time Trial
We understand that you would want to watch how your picks are performing. Where can you do that? Let’s find out:
TV Coverage
The Olympics are a global event, and thankfully, that means there are plenty of ways to watch. In the United States, NBC and its family of networks (like USA Network and CNBC) are the primary broadcasters.
In Europe, Eurosport is the go-to destination for cycling fans. Most other countries will have a main national broadcaster that holds the rights to the Games, so a quick search should tell you where to tune in.
Online Streaming & Live Timing
For those of us who have cut the cord, streaming is the best way to watch. In the US market, every single Olympic event is streamed live on Peacock. Globally, the official Olympic Channel often provides live streams and highlights.
And here is a pro tip for the real data nerds out there: look for the official live timing feeds from the race organizers. These platforms often have data that is a few seconds ahead of the television broadcast. It might not sound like much, but for in-play betting, having that information before the rest of the market can be advantageous.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Betting on Olympic Time Trial
Let’s wrap this up with a quick recap of the biggest pitfalls to sidestep. Think of this as friendly advice to keep you out of trouble.
Ignoring Weather Impact
Don’t be that person who bets on a pure powerhouse rider and then acts shocked when they struggle on a scorching 100-degree day or can’t handle their bike on slick, rainy roads. Always, always check the forecast before you finalize your bets!
Overrating Previous Olympic Winners
Respect the legends, but bet with your head, not your heart. Form is temporary, and class is permanent. But in betting, recent form is what pays the bills. Don’t bet on a name from 2016 if their results in the current season don’t back it up.
Neglecting Course-Equipment Fit
This is the pro move that separates the sharp bettors from the public. Don’t just bet on the rider; bet on the rider-course-equipment combination. A super-aero setup with disc wheels is a massive advantage on a flat course, but it becomes a heavy anchor on a steep mountain climb. Match the tools to the job.
Racing Against the Clock with NXTbets
The Olympic Time Trial is a beautiful intersection of raw human power, cutting-edge technology, and pure, unadulterated strategy. That makes it an incredible opportunity for bettors.
Now you have the tools to start exploring this sport. You know how to analyze the course, understand the weather, appreciate the gear, and spot the difference between a rested specialist and a fatigued champion. You are ready!
As the next big race approaches, make sure you keep it locked right here on NXTbets. Subscribe to our newsletter for all the expert insights, updated odds, and strategies you need to stay ahead of the pack.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
It is typically held in the first week of the Olympic Games, mainly before the road race. For instance, the Paris 2024 time trials took place on Saturday, July 27th.
While the specific Olympic rules can vary, the general principle in major time trials is a reverse order of ranking. This means the top-ranked and most favored riders start last. This builds suspense throughout the event, as the best riders have a clear target time to chase.
The top contenders are almost always the reigning Olympic and World Champions, along with the season's most consistent performers. For the men, this includes riders like Remco Evenepoel (BEL), Filippo Ganna (ITA), and Wout van Aert (BEL). For the women, names like Grace Brown (AUS), Chloe Dygert (USA), and Marlen Reusser (SUI) are always at the top of the list.
Absolutely! All major sportsbooks will offer a full slate of betting markets for both the men's and women's Olympic time trials.
The Paris 2024 course was a 32.4 km route described as virtually flat and not very technical. This type of course is a pure and raw power test. Without significant climbs, a rider's weight is not a penalty, so it heavily favors the bigger, more powerful specialists who can produce and hold the highest absolute wattage in an aerodynamic position.
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