At 11:00 AM today, the world’s top female omnium cyclists will gather at the Vélodrome in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, where the Paris 2024 Olympics will host one of the most demanding events in cycling. For Denmark’s Amalie Dideriksen, this is a crucial moment—a chance to make history and compete for medals on the biggest stage.
The omnium is an event in track cycling that tests a cyclist’s versatility across four different race types: Scratch, Tempo, Elimination, and Points race. Each part of the competition challenges the rider’s tactical skills, endurance, and sprinting power, making it one of the most dynamic and unpredictable events in the Olympic program. This format change, introduced at the 2016 Olympics, allows riders to compete in a single-day format, adding extra intensity to the competition. The Scratch race kicks off the day at 11:00 AM, followed by the Tempo race at 11:57 AM. The two decisive races, Elimination and Points race, will determine who stands atop the podium later in the day.
Amalie Dideriksen is undoubtedly one of Denmark’s top cycling figures. With a successful background on both track and road cycling, expectations are high for her performance. Dideriksen is competing in the omnium with a strong foundation in events like Scratch and Points race, where she has previously achieved high-level results in World Championships and World Cups.
However, the competition will be fierce. Jennifer Valente from the United States is the clear favorite, being the defending Olympic champion and a double world champion in 2022 and 2023. Valente has dominated the omnium discipline in recent years and arrives in Paris with a targeted ambition to defend her title. Yumi Kajihara from Japan, who was a close competitor to Valente in Tokyo 2021, is also a strong contender and has previously won a world championship gold medal in this event.
Belgium’s Lotte Kopecky, a versatile rider with plenty of experience, is another serious podium candidate. Kopecky unfortunately had to withdraw in Tokyo due to a crash but is back with a clear ambition for redemption at this year’s games. Italian riders Letizia Paternoster and Elisa Balsamo, as well as Portugal’s Maria Martins and Poland’s Daria Pikulik, are also in the mix for medal contention.
So far, Dideriksen’s Olympic tournament has been mixed. In the Madison event, which she competed in alongside Julie Leth, the Danish pair failed to secure a medal despite a heroic effort. The Italian team claimed victory, leaving Denmark off the podium. Therefore, Dideriksen will be particularly motivated to deliver a top result in the omnium, where she has the chance to secure an Olympic medal for Denmark on her own.
The current landscape in women’s track omnium is defined by Valente’s dominance, but Dideriksen has shown solid performances that give hope for a good result in today’s competition. The Danish cyclist has proven she can compete with the best, and if she can remain consistent throughout all four races, there’s a realistic chance she could stand on the podium later today.
With such strong competitors, the omnium will present a challenging contest for every single point. While Valente is the frontrunner, nothing is guaranteed in an event like the omnium, where a single mistake can be costly. If Dideriksen can leverage her experience and avoid troubles, especially in the chaotic Elimination race, she has a good shot at competing against the elite.
Lotte Kopecky and Yumi Kajihara are also worth watching, as both have demonstrated their capabilities to deliver strong performances in this discipline. It will require a collective effort from Dideriksen to contend at the top, but her skills on the track make her a contender who can certainly surprise.
When the race starts at 11:00 AM, it will not just be another race for Amalie Dideriksen. It represents a chance to bring home an Olympic medal to Denmark and secure her place in Olympic history. Whether she can make it all the way to the podium remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—we can expect an intense and exciting day at the Vélodrome in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, where every lap will count.
Cycling fans around the world will be on the edge of their seats as the omnium competition unfolds, and with a rider like Dideriksen in the field, we can certainly anticipate her participation in the battle for top positions.