For rides under 3 hours, there is no need for any protein. For rides over 3 hours, I believe there is evidence that protein can be beneficial mainly for reducing delayed onset muscle soreness.
As for nutrient timing, it is a difficult subject where the scientific consensus seems to be shifting. It used to be that people believed there was a “window” of time where protein intake would maximize muscle growth, but newer research is showing this “window” may be more like a “garage door” and that it the timing is not so important so long as one consumes proper amounts of nutrients in their daily diet.
See this article, which was discussed on a podcast a few months ago: