Chris Froome
Due to the grueling nature of the course, the riders expected to finish with a medal were all known for their climbing and descending skills. Favorites heading into the race were Alejandro Valverde, Vincenzo Nibali, Chris Froome, Joaquim Rodríguez and Julian Alaphilippe, many expected that Chris Froome may have had the assistance of some of his Team Sky teammates and the advantage of attempting something historic: If he had won gold, he would have become the first person to ever win Tour de France and the cycling road race in the same season.