World Championships 2023: Men's Road Race (August 6)

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At one end there is a loop that if it is not wide would seem to make it so those that don't beat those on the return loop would be taken out of the race, BUT as I am guessing it is wide enough to have a median (road works separating two sides or cones, where those going the other way can't run into the lead group?

A rider with skills in medieval jousting could use it to their advantage and eliminate their rivals from the race.