PARIS: Paris 2024 turns to the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Velodrome on Monday as cycling's speed demons get set to battle for 12 gold medals on the track.
Britain's traditional dominance was challenged three years ago in Tokyo by the Netherlands, with the field promising to be as open again in France.
AFP Sport highlights five riders to watch during the week:
JENNIFER VALENTE
The 29-year-old upset then-world champion Yumi Kajihara of Japan to become the first American woman to win an Olympic track cycling gold medal at Tokyo three years ago.
Since then, Valente has asserted herself as the woman to beat in the omnium, winning back-to-back world titles in 2022 and 2023.
Valente was part of the United States pursuit team that earned silver at Rio 2016 and bronze in Tokyo, and she will again anchor them in Paris, along with competing in the Madison.
HARRIE LAVREYSEN
Lavreysen has led the Dutch dominance of sprint events since Rio, owning 13 world championship titles and two Olympic golds after winning the sprint and team sprint in Tokyo.
Once again, the 27-year-old will be the man to beat with the likes of Poland's Mateusz Rudyk and Britain's Matthew Richardson out to stop him.
The Dutchman will also be among the favourites in the keirin, looking to better the bronze he clinched in Japan.
ELLESSE ANDREWS
Andrews bagged a surprise keirin silver on her Olympic debut in 2021 and has only got better since, storming to the world title in Glasgow last year.
She broke her collarbone in a January fall, but made a triumphant return in April with victory at the Canada leg of the Nations Cup.
The 24-year-old will also be a medal contender in the individual sprint after picking up bronze at the worlds, and will line up alongside Shaane Fulton and Rebecca Petch in the team sprint.
DATUK AZIZULHASNI AWANG
The popular keirin speedster had heart surgery in 2022, but that hasn't stopped him from pursuing his dream of Olympic gold.
Known as the "Pocket Rocketman" due to his small stature, the 36-year-old won keirin bronze in Rio then silver at Tokyo, and going one better in Paris is on his radar.
At his fifth and final Olympics, plenty will be cheering for the veteran to go out on a high.
EMMA FINUCANE
The 21-year-old is the new face of British cycling after bursting on the scene by winning the sprint world title last year.
She will also go in the keirin and team sprint in her bid to become the first female cyclist to win three golds at the same Olympics.
Standing in her way is Canadian defending sprint champion Kelsey Mitchell, with New Zealand's Andrews also shaping as a key threat. --AFP