Pedal to the medals: Olympic podium hot takes
My Olympic podium fantasy picks
Sports predictions are both an art and a science. Yeah, we can sit around an analyze stats all day long, but skillful analysts must also read the vibes. It’s the vibes and unexpected storylines that offer an almost spiritual quality to sports, which is what keeps me hooked as a fan and writer.
I’ve written and podcasted this week about the top contenders for the Olympic mountain bike race. Here, I’ll lean more into the art and vibe-based side of predictions.
If I was a pure statistician, I would tell you that Pauline Ferrand-Prévot and Tom Pidcock are the hot favorites to win gold in Paris. Today I am a fantasy team director, and here are my podium results.
Women’s Gold Medal - Haley Batten
In the late twenty teens, Kate Courtney put America back on the map on the international mountain bike scene by claiming a world championship title and World Cup series title. Courtney flew so Batten could soar. Batten has the experience of the Tokyo games under her belt and has race-winning confidence from earlier in the year. She’ll master a tactical race and breakaway from the group during the final lap to cross the line solo for Team USA.
Women’s Silver Medal - Evie Richards
Last year, I underestimated Richards at the beginning of the season and possibly over estimated her ahead of a home-country world championships. The rider from Great Britain brings a diverse range of racing experiences, but has been a bit quiet on the results sheet this season. However, the Olympics has a way of brining out unexpected rides.
Women’s Bronze Medal - Mona Mitterwallner
Mitterwallner rode to her debut elite World Cup win last summer and immediately followed that up with another. Like Richards, Mitterwallner has been relatively quiet, but she will give her fellow Austrians something to cheer about this Sunday.
Men’s Gold Medal - Alan Hatherly
Hatherly has been Mr. Consistent for years but never found that big World Cup win. That is until this month in Les Gets when the South African claimed both the XCC and XCO titles. Hatherly is on good form, and he’ll continue riding that peak onto the top step of the podium in Paris.
Men’s Silver Medal - Sam Gaze
A world champion and World Cup winner, Gaze has also been putting in the work for years now. The New Zealander’s power and tactical wit will suit the fast Paris course, and he’ll ride to a silver medal, much like he did at the world championships last year.
Men’s Bronze Medal - Riley Amos
Amos is not used to racing with much of the Olympic field since he competes in the Under 23 field and vice versa. Amos strung together an undefeated early season, and that fitness will carry over to a successful debut Olympic performance for the American.