By Paul Osborne

Road Cycling Road Race course confirmed for Rio 2016 ©UCIThe courses for the road race and time trials at the next Olympic Games have been confirmed by the International Cycling Union (UCI) and Rio 2016 Organising Committee.

The men's road race will be held on August 6 and cover a distance of 256.4 kilometres.

The women's, on the other hand, will be 130.3km long and held on August 7.

The races will start and finish in Flamengo Park and pass through Copacabana, Ipanema, Barra and Reserva Beach.

Each will do laps of the Grumari circuit, one for women and four for men, which consists of two climbs - Grumari and Grota Funda.

Grumari is a narrow climb and descent in a forested area which averages seven per cent over 1.2km with a maximum gradient of 13 per cent, while the Grota Funda climb averages 4.5 per cent over 2.1km with a maximum gradient of six per cent.

There will also be a 2km cobbled section within the course.

Also included are laps of the Canoas/Vista Chinesa circuit, one for women and three for men.

This circuit starts with the Canoas climb before continuing with the Vista Chinesa climb over 8.9km uphill followed by a technical descent of 6km.

The day after the women's road race, both men and women will face the time trial course, which was also confirmed by the UCI and Rio 2016 today.

This 29.8km course consists of one lap of the Grumari circuit for women and two for the men.

Incorporating the tricky Grumari climb, the time trial will start and end in Tim Maia Square along Pontal Beach.

The Rio 2016 time trial course will see men complete the Grumari circuit twice and the women once ©UCIThe Rio 2016 time trial course will see men complete the Grumari circuit twice and the women once ©UCI

Upon announcing the two courses, UCI President Brian Cookson expressed his delight at the confirmations.

"The UCI has been working closely with the Rio 2016 Organising Committee and Mayor Paes on the Road Race and Time Trial Courses for some time and I am delighted that the routes have now been agreed.

"The Road race mixes some of Rio de Janeiro's most iconic backdrops such as Copacabana and Ipanema with some really testing sections such as the Grumari Circuit and the climb up to Canoas/Vista Chinesa.

"While the Time Trial course also includes the challenging topography of the area.

"The steep climb up Grumari Road, is sure to provide a unique test for Time Trial riders.

"Today's confirmation of the Rio 2016 Road Race and Time Trial courses brings the start of Rio Games ever closer for riders across the world."

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