No sport throughout the Olympics is as high octane as the events that take place in the velodrome. Cycling is the easiest sport to watch during the Games, as simply, the team, or individual that goes the quickest during their event are crowned the gold medal winners. But, which events do fans have to look forward to this summer, and which potential stars could be on course to win gold?
Track Team Sprint Women
One of the most competitive events in the velodrome will be the Track Team Sprint. The women’s side of the event has a number of outstanding nations that will be looking to win the gold. It could come down to a tense finish between the Russian Olympic Committee and German teams. However, we prefer the chances of Germany taking gold.
Pick: Germany at 13/20 with BetXchange
Track Team Pursuit Women
The track team pursuit also looks set to be a thrilling battle, but it will likely come down to the two nations that battled for gold in the last two Olympic Games. USA were the silver medallists on both of those occasions, as Team GB won gold in both London and Rio. With Laura Kenny back in the saddle for Team GB, we would be expecting the Brits to win a third straight Olympic title.
Pick: Team GB at 13/10 with BetXchange.
Track Team Pursuit Men
Denmark are the current favourites for the Men’s Team Pursuit, at 5/10 after winning the World Championship in Berlin last year. The team of Lasse Norman Hansen, Julius Johansen, Frederik Rodenberg and Rasmus Pederson remains intact for the games this summer. However, Team GB are the three-time Olympic defending champions, having dominated this event since the Beijing games. Team GB starts on the track always peak at the Olympics, and at 7/1 they are excellent value.
Pick: Team GB at 7/1 with BetXchange.
Track Team Sprint Men
Team GB have once again dominated this event over the last three Olympic Games. Jason Kenny will return from his short retirement to lead the team, and they should be in contention for either gold or silver. However, our pick for the gold in this event is the Netherlands, who have won the gold at the World Championships in the last three years. They finished off the podium in Rio five years ago, but that will change in Tokyo, as they take gold.
Pick: Netherlands at 9/20 with BetXchange.
Track Omnium Men’s
The Omnium is a fairly newer race on the track, as it has only been competed at the last two Olympic Games. Matthew Walls and Roger Kluge will be among the leading contenders. However, Benjamin Thomas looks to be the man to beat. Thomas won the World Championship in Berlin in this event last year, and won the gold in the Track World Cup in 2017.
Pick: Benjamin Thomas at 7/10 with BetXchange.
Track Keirin Women’s
Keirin will also be making its third appearance at the Olympics this summer. Victoria Pendleton won gold in London, while Elis Ligtee won the top prize in Rio. Emma Hinze will take all the beating in the Keirin, as she won the gold at the World Championships last year in Berlin.
Pick: Emma Hinze at 2/1 with BetXchange.
Track Omnium Women’s
There could be host glory in the Women’s Omnium, as Japan’s best hope of an early gold is Yumi Kajihara. The 24-year-old old comes into the games as the world champion, having won in Berlin last year. He has also won the gold medal in this event in the Asian Championships on three occasions. Letizia Paternoster could be her nearest rival, but she got the better of the Italian last year.
Pick: Yumi Kajihara at 2/1 with BetXchange.
Other Olympic Cycling Picks
| Men’s Mountain Bike Cross Country | Tom Pidcock (16/10) |
| Men’s BMX Racing | Simon Marquart (4/1) |
| Women’s BMX Racing | Alise Willoughby (26/10) |
| Women’s BMX Freestyle | Hannah Roberts (3/10) |
| Women’s Track Sprint | Emma Hinze (5/2) |
| Men’s Track Madison | Denmark (2/1) |
| Men’s Track Keirin | Jason Kenny (4/1) |
