When we mention bicycles, most people will think of a means of transportation, but will also agree that nowadays a bicycle is much more than that. The design of the bicycle saw the light of day in the mid-nineteenth century, thanks to French engineer Pierre Michaux. Since then, the bicycle has come a long way, from an economical and environmentally friendly means of transport to a cycling sport that is very popular in the 21st century and gathers a large number of cyclists and fans all around the world. Various cycling events are held around the globe that are interesting for both participation and viewing. If you want to get to know the world of cyclists better, you are at the right place. Below we talk more about the biggest cycling events in the world.
More on cycling as a sport
In the early 19th century, Karl von Drais invented the first bicycle, and in the middle of the century, the revolutionary design of the bicycle was conceived thanks to the French engineer Pierre Michaux. At the same time (around 1870) cycling was officially accepted as a sport and events of this type began to take place. The cycling event was held for the first time in Paris, and in the years that followed, the sport became accepted, popular and loved in other parts of the world as well – in the USA and Asia.
In the following period, cycling developed more and more, and many fun and challenging sporting events began to take place, which gathered a large number of participants and fans of this sport. Nowadays, there are so many cycling events that it is even difficult to list them. There are those that involve a smaller number of participants, as well as those that are world famous and involve multiple stages across the country.
If you want to get more involved in these events it will be useful for you to read cycling news regularly and be up to date with all the events that follow. You can find a lot of fun and useful cycling news on the dougreport.com platform.
Biggest cycling events in the world
1. Tour de France
Probably the most popular and largest cycling event in the world is the Tour de France. Everyone has heard of him, and with good reason. The Tour de France brings together top cyclists around the world and has been held every year for almost 120 years. This is the biggest sporting event in France that millions of people around the world look forward to every year. It is a multiple stage race that includes riding in teams, of which there are always about 20, and each team includes eight cyclists. It lasts 23 days and is very challenging to participate in, and fun to watch, as many fans of the sport will tell you. The winner of the Tour de France is the team with the lowest cumulative final time, and the winners are recognized by the yellow jersey. Some of the famous names in this sport are Bernard Hinault, Eddy Merckx, Jacques Anquetil and Miguel Indurain. They all took five wins at this sporting event.
2. Vuelta a Espana
La Vuelta a Espana is another one of the world-famous cycling events and one of probably the most interesting and exciting routes in terms of composition. It takes place, as its name suggests, in Spain and in a way represents training for the World Cup. This event was first held in 1935, after cycling events in other countries proved to be very successful. After that, it continued to take place annually. The winner is the rider who has the lowest cumulative finish time and thus reaches the red jersey. The record holder in the number of victories in La Vuelta and Espana is the Spanish cyclist, Roberto Heras.
3. Giro d’Italia
This race is another one of the biggest in the world of cycling and is very much appreciated and popular. It is certainly one of the most challenging (right after the Tour de France), considering the terrain that needs to be passed in order to reach the goal. It is characterized by steep and dangerous ascents through the Alps and the Dolomites, and Tuscany is not significantly milder for cyclists. It usually takes place in late spring and lasts, like the Tour de France, for 23 days. It is very specific and is characterized by a recognizable Italian spirit. Eddy Merckx, Fausto Coppi and Alfredo Binda are some of the famous names – cyclists who took 5 victories at the Giro d’Italia. The first winner was Luigi Ganna back in 1909, when this world cycling event began.
4. UCI Road World Championships
This world cycling championship is organized every year by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and is held at a different location each time. It consists of several different events for road race and individual time trial. This is a one-day event in which all the events, except team time trials, are ridden by national teams. The winner in each of these categories at the UCI World Cup gets a rainbow jersey.
When the cyclist succeeds to win the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia and the UCI World Road Race Championship is awarded the Triple Crown of Cycling. So far, only two cyclists have won the title – Stephen Roche and Eddy Merckx. The Cycling Triple Crown is considered to be the greatest achievement in the world of cycling events and only the best of the best can achieve it.
Conclusion:
Nowadays, cycling is a world-renowned sport in which various races and events are held around the world, on almost all continents. These races are exciting for both participants and spectators, and over time a large number of different cycling events, of different duration and complexity, have been designed. Some of the biggest cycling events in the world are certainly the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, the UCI World Road Race Championship, as well as La Vuelta a Espana. Participants who win each of the first three events are awarded the Triple Crown of Cycling – a title considered the greatest achievement in the world of cycling.
