TWIN PEAKS

Identical twins have all but identical DNA. Does that mean their cycling potential is exactly the same too? Chris Marshall-Bell asks the Oliveira twins

- Chris Marshall-Bell

Over the last six months, Cycling Weekly’s ‘In the Genes’ series has explored the role of genetics in cycling families, probing the extent to which cycling excellence is encrypted in a rider’s DNA.

We explored multi-generational success with the Walkers, parent-child inheritance with the Georgis, and prolific medal-winning among siblings with the Jameses. Each provided strong evidence that genes do indeed play a decisive role in determining cycling talent, progression and success. Geneticists have confirmed that the role of nature (genetics) is at least as important as nurture (environment).

To round off the series, we wanted to investigate the role of genetics in a pair of identical twins who both compete at the sport’s highest level. The most obvious example was Simon and Adam Yates, but they were otherwise engaged with races.

So instead we sat down (virtually) with two rising Portuguese stars, identical twin brothers Rui and Ivo Oliveira. The two 24-year-olds not only look alike, sport the same haircut, and sound the same, they have also enjoyed near-identical career paths. Having progressed through the junior ranks in Portugal, on-road and track, Rui and Ivo spent two years with the Hagens Berman Axeon team before signing for their current team UAE-Team Emirates in 2019.

Both are strong time triallists and lead-out men. They finished second together in the Madison at the 2020 European Track Championships and are targeting selection for the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Given that their cycling biographies and profiles are so alike, we figured it would be fascinating to compare their likenesses and differences, and of course ask, is it in the genes? Let’s bid them olá.