The World's Top 6 Cycling Races

A mountain bike can take you off-road, whereas a road bike can have you riding around just like participants in these major road races:

Tour De France

Lasting three weeks and covering 3,600 kms of the French countryside, this "Grand Tour" would have to be the best known cycling event in the world. The race interestingly had its origins in an attempt by a French newspaper to boost circulation by inaugurating this race in 1903. The race has individual competitors vying for the yellow jersey, the reward for the lowest aggregate time as calculated at the end of each day's racing. American Lance Armstrong has won the race an amazing seven times.

Giro D'Italia

This race, which first took place in 1909 was inspired by the Tour De France, and joins the latter as one of the three "Grand Tours". A pink jersey signifies the current overall leader of the Giro, while other jerseys are bestowed upon the best mountain rider, and the best young rider (under twenty five). Starts and finishes have often centred on Milan, but this has changed from time to time. The race predominantly takes place in Italy, but often spreads into neighbouring countries. Alfredo Binda, Fausto Coppi, and Eddy Merckx have each won the Giro D'Italia five times.

Vuelta a Espana

The last of the three "Grand Tours", the Vuelta a Espana began in 1935. Like the other two Grand Tours, increased newspaper circulation was a prime motivation in getting the event off the ground. The event sputtered in its early years, initially due to the Spanish Civil War and World War Two. It has been a constant event in the annual cycling calendar since 1955. In the earlier years, limited numbers of overseas riders participated in the event, but this has changed over the years. Still, Spanish riders have dominated the event, winning 29 years of the now annual event. French riders are a distant second, having won the event nine times.

UCI Pro Tour

This tour is technically a series of events, predominantly held across Europe, but with one event as far away as Australia (Tour Down Under). It includes all the Grand Tours and large stage races like the Tour de Suisse and Paris-Nice. Major one day races like the Ronde van Vlaanderen (Belgium), and HEW Cyclassics (Germany) are also incorporated. The Union Cycliste Internationale oversees the tour.

World Championships

UCI also administers World Championships, which cover various disciplines of cycling, including road, track, mountain bike, BMX and Indoor Cycling Championships. World Cycling Champions in each category are awarded a Rainbow Jersey to wear for the following twelve months.

Olympic Cycling

The Olympic Games is arguably the biggest sporting event in the world. Cycling plays a major part in the Olympics. In addition to a road race, there are many velodrome located events. In addition to individual and team pursuits and sprints, the Olympics feature interesting events like Keirin (originating in Japan) and Madison (originating in New York, USA).

If you are more into stunts than cycling, bmx bikes might be your thing.

The World's Top 6 Cycling Races

By: Tim Oswald

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