Further conspiring against the U.S. was the fact that WorldTour riders are unable to earn points in lower-level continental events. The UCI, cycling's world governing body, doles out 144 start spots based only on results from 2015, rather than a two-year window like some other disciplines. One thing qualifying two riders for Rio has done is up the ante for those trying to earn a spot. The number of riders in the road race is significant because more teammates not only provide more chances of landing on a podium but better chances, too. When riders roll to the start line for the road cycling race on the first official day of the Rio Olympics, more will be wearing Iranian and Moroccan jerseys than those of Team USA.

Source: New Zealand Herald June 15, 2016 06:45 UTC