[2] Austria's Felix Gall attacked with 20 km (12 mi) remaining and managed to stay clear at the head of the race to win the gold medal, holding off a fast-finishing Clément Bétouigt-Suire of France, in a two-up sprint finish.

The outgoing World Champion, Mathieu van der Poel, did not compete as he was no longer eligible to contest junior races.

The circuit headed west from Downtown Richmond, working its way onto Monument Avenue, a paver-lined, historic boulevard that's been named one of the "10 Great Streets in America".

Cyclists took a 180-degree turn at the Jefferson Davis monument and then maneuvered through the Uptown district and Virginia Commonwealth University.

Halfway through the circuit, the race headed down into Shockoe Bottom before following the canal and passing Great Shiplock Park, the start of the Virginia Capital Trail.