Yesterday, we posed the question asking which of the women’s Tokyo podium and 2023 WTCS podium will come out on top in 2024. Over the past two years, the entire women’s podium has changed, pitting the best of the last Olympic cycle against the rising forces of the current quad.
In this article, we will turn our attention to the men and raise the same question.
Looking ahead to the Paris Olympics in 2024, who would you back to collectively come out on top: the defending medallists from the Tokyo Olympics or the current WTCS podium?
Unlike the women, there is an immediate issue. Hayden Wilde finished 3rd in 2021 and 2nd in 2023 and therefore cancels himself out. To accommodate this, we will extend the podium to 4th place. In 2021, this added Marten Van Riel. In 2023 it includes Vasco Vilaca.
Based on 2021 form, the previous podium would fancy their chances. Kristian Blummenfelt went on to win the 2021 WTCS crown while Van Riel won multiple WTCS medals. Since then, Alex Yee has also won six WTCS races across 2022 and 2023.
On the other hand, Blummenfelt has not medalled in the WTCS since his comeback from long distance, while Van Riel is still finding his best form after injury.
Of the 2023 podium, Dorian Coninx is the reigning world champion and won WTCS Pontevedra. With two further WTCS wins previously, he has as many wins in the Series as Blummenfelt. Moreover, Leo Bergere was the 2022 world champion. Although he only has one WTCS win to his name, he has a plethora of medals. Vilaca also won four WTCS medals in 2023; like Van Riel, he is still awaiting a maiden win.
The trios are thus evenly balanced and it is hard to say who would actually win in a match-up.
In the poll you simply have to choose which podium you think would come out on top (remember, it isn’t about the race winner but rather the entire podium). So take your pick and let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
