8 Most Famous Cycling Races and Events

Cycling has a rich history of different races and events. The famous cycling events have captured audiences all over the world for over a century.

From Tour de France to Olympic Games Cycling, these bike races test the skill of the world’s best cyclists and always give us immense joy. So, what are the most famous cycling races and events in the world?

Well, in this article we will give you a comprehensive guide to the world of cycling races and events. We’ll examine their history, routes, and notable moments. Not just that, you will get to know about the big local races as well. Let’s Go!

Pedaling Through History: A Look at the World’s 8 Most Famous Cycling Races and Events

Surely there are many events in cycling that occur all over the world. But out of them, some of the events are a bit extra special, and have their unique character & history. So without further ado, let’s dive into our list.

1. Tour de France

I guess you expected this one. The Tour de France is arguably the most famous and prestigious cycling race in the world. It’s like the Super Bowl of cycling.

This famous road race has been going on since 1903 and takes place over three weeks in July. It covers over 2,200 miles and includes 21 stages, with some of the major climbs in France.

You will usually find 20-22 teams there. And each has around 8 or 9 riders (Depends on the editions).

In 2022, there were 22 teams and each team had eight members. So around 176 riders took part there. Sounds exciting huh? You should know one more thing. This classic race had 27 nationalities entering last year.

Let’s get into more details. Each year the route changes. However, you will find the format staying the same.

It always includes lots of mountains, individual time trials. As a matter of fact there are both flat and hilly stages.

According to the official route of Tour de France 2023, there will be

• 8 flat stages
• 4 hilly stages
• 8 mountain stages

It’s getting interesting right? Well, the race attracts millions of fans along the route who go crazy for the cyclists. And the coveted yellow jersey, worn by the overall leader attracts us as well.

However, there are some unfortunate matters as well.

The Tour de France has had its share of scandals. Including doping controversies that have left a stain on the race’s reputation.

But despite this, the Tour de France still remains the biggest cycling event. Some consider it one of the biggest sporting events as well.

And why wouldn’t they? It produced some of the greatest champions in the sport’s history, like the Belgian rider Eddy Merckx, Lance Armstrong, Chris Froome, Peter Sagan.

So, if you want to get a taste of this grand tour and event, mark your cycling calendar. If you miss it out in 2023, hope you’ll be in the later editions whether as a participant or an audience. Trust me, it will be an unforgettable experience. 

2. Milan-San Remo

Milan-San Remo is the first of the five Monuments of cycling, a series of the oldest and most prestigious one-day races in the sport.

The race is also known as La Primavera, or “The Spring Classic”. Why?

Because it typically takes place in March, marking the beginning of the cycling season. The event actually starts from northern Italy.

Remember when we said oldest? Well, not just oldest but also one of the longest as well.

The race covers a distance of over 300 kilometers (186 miles). making it one of the longest one-day races in the sport.

It has routes that include some challenging climbs such as Cipressa and Poggio . But it’s often decided in a sprint finish on the flat roads leading into San Remo.

Its first edition was way back in 1907. Since then, it has managed to create a rich history.

Also, it’s known for its unpredictable outcomes, with many unexpected winners over the years.

For example, let’s talk about the 1992 edition. When Sean Kelly managed to win the race in the most dramatic way possible.

In 2023, the event was held on March 18. Mathieu van der Poel from the Netherlands managed to get the title .

Overall, Milan-San Remo is a true test of endurance and strategy for the cyclists who compete in it. It’s a race that requires not just strength, but also cunning and tactical skill.

So hope that as a cycling fan, you will get the opportunity to enjoy this event at least once in your lifetime.

3. Giro d’Italia

The Giro d’Italia is one of the three Grand Tours of cycling, along with the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España. Before we start talking about it, here’s a fun fact. Our group calls it the Italian cousin of the Tour de France. HAHA!

So, let’s get to the main part. The race was first held in 1909, and has been an annual cycling race ever since (with the exception of during the World Wars).

It typically takes place over three weeks in May and June. You will also find it consisting of 21 stages like the other grand tours.

Many people think that it is harder than the Tour de France. It’s because Cyclists can find the race very hard because of the weather. They might have to deal with rain, snow or fog. But hey, at the end of the day everyone has their own opinions.

The Giro d’Italia is known for its classic routes through the most beautiful regions of Italy.

The cyclists ride through picturesque villages, different mountain roads, and along the coast. And all of these while being cheered on by the passionate Italian fans.

The race is also famous for its iconic pink outfit, worn by the leader of the race.

The Giro d’Italia remains a beloved event for cycling fans around the world. Hope it will be held continuously in the years to come and remain as a celebration of  Italian culture and beauty.

4. Vuelta a Espana

Next up, we have another one of the grand tours. In fact, it is the youngest one.

Vuelta a Espana is an annual bicycle race held in Spain. It is also known as the Tour of Spain. It isn’t as famous as the previous two grand tours, but hey trust me, it’s quite exciting.

Moving on to the Time of the event.

Vuelta a España was first held in 1935. And after 1955, it is being held annually. Currently it is a three-week long annual cycling stage race that takes place in Spain in late August and early September.

The race typically covers over 3100 Kilometer.

What about the stages? Well, there are 21 stages in total, ranging from flat sprints to brutal mountain climbs. The riders have to be able to handle it all if they want to have a chance of winning. They can find the two additional resting days very helpful.

As with other big cycling races, there are jerseys that are awarded to the leaders of various classifications.

The red jersey is the most prestigious and is worn by the leader of the general classification. It is known as the maillot rojo.

Now, onto the topic of history. The first event of this annual cycling road race was won by the Belgian cyclist Gustaaf Deloor.

However, it is a Spanish event. And one of the Spanish cyclists named Roberto Heras won it for the most number of times.

Overall, Vuelta a España is a really exciting event. It’s a chance to see some of the best cyclists in the world competing against each other. That too on some of the most beautiful and challenging routes in Spain.

5. Paris-Roubaix

Now, we will talk about one of the oldest classic cycle races out there.

Paris-Roubaix is a one-day professional cycling race that takes place in northern France every spring. It is known as the “Queen of the Classics” due to its rich history, challenging route, and iconic cobblestone sections.

The first edition was held on 19 April, 1896. The race is famous for its long stretches of cobbled roads that can be treacherous. Especially it makes the race more challenging when it rains.

Okay, let’s shift our focus to distance. Paris and Roubaix, which have a distance of around 280 km. The race ends in Roubaix, a city located close to the border with Belgium.

We’ll share one interesting fact about the distance. The cobblestones of Paris-Roubaix are a defining feature of the race. It’s because the combative riders have to navigate through some of the toughest sections of paved roads.

The race is also famous for its iconic finish, the Roubaix Velodrome. We’ll tell you why.

The crop of Riders complete a final lap of the velodrome, with the winner being the first to cross the finish line.

And trust us when we say this, the atmosphere inside the velodrome is electric.

These sections are notorious for causing crashes and mechanical failures, and often play a key role in determining the outcome of the race.

This famous race had its latest edition held on 9th April, 2023(it was the 120th edition). There were 29 sections of cobblestones.

You might be thinking who won it huh? It was Mathieu van der Poel.
Last but not the least, Paris-Roubaix is one of the five Monuments of cycling, along with Milan-San Remo, the Tour of Flanders, Liege-Bastogne-Liege, and the Giro di Lombardia. So, it contributes points in the UCI world ranking.

6. Olympic Games

We all know the Olympics are held every four years. But Cycling has been a part of the modern Olympic Games since their start in Athens in 1896. Since then, the sport has grown in popularity.

As a matter of fact, cycling events at the Olympic Games are now some of the most highly anticipated and prestigious competitions in the sport.

Some people even watch the Olympics just for the cycling competition.

So, why is it so interesting? Simple answer, It’s the OLYMPICS! There are four cycling events at the Olympic Games:

• Road cycling
• Track cycling
• Mountain biking
• BMX racing

Each event has its own unique challenges and requires different skills. It makes the Olympic cycling program a true test of a cyclist’s versatility and adaptability.

Let’s start with the first one. The road race event sees riders from different countries compete over a challenging course that covers a distance of over 200 kilometers.

The race typically takes place on public roads and features challenging terrains.

Track Cycling is personally my most favorite one. In the Olympics, it is around 250m. So it contains many laps. Also the track cycling events take place on an indoor track and include individual and team events.
These events are known usually for their high speeds, technical skill, and tactical racing. No wonder why I love them so much.

Moving on to mountain biking. It is one of the most beloved bike races for many of us. In the Olympics, cross country mountain bike racings is held. They are generally held for around 90 minutes.

Lastly, BMX racing is also very popular at the Olympics. And it is held at a velodrome. 

Overall, the cycling events at the Olympics continue to draw some of the world’s best cyclists. Like Jason Kenny. He managed to win two silvers and a whopping seven gold medals.

Still, There are numerous bulky classic riders who try to compete for the honor of representing their countries and winning the most desired Olympic medals.

 7. Tour de Suisse

Now we have another annual road cycling race. The Tour de Suisse is a professional cycling race held annually in Switzerland.

The race was first held in 1933 and it was won by Max Bulla. Since then, it has become one of the most reputable stage races on the professional cycling calendar.

You will see that The Tour de Suisse typically takes place over 8 to 10 days. And covers a total distance of more than 800 miles.

The race features a mix of flat stages for the sprinters, mountain stages for the climbers, and time trial stages for the specialists against the clock.

Now we all know how beautiful Switzerland can be. Well, we got some good news for you.

This biggest race in Switzerland passes through some of the country’s most picturesque towns and villages. The race also features some of the country’s most iconic climbs, such as the Gotthard Pass and the Flüela Pass.

The tour is actually considered as a proving ground for the famous Tour de France. Why? Because the Tour de France usually occurs just a couple of weeks after the Tour de Suisse.

One of the unique features of the Tour de Suisse is the daily leader’s jersey. The leader of the race after each stage is awarded a yellow jersey, similar to the Tour de France.

Also, if you want to get a taste of this famous race, then you should mark the calendar in June.

In 2011, the event became a part of the UCI World Tour as well. So, you can see that it is becoming more famous and prestigious day by day.

Speaking of winners,the famous Italian cyclist Pasquale Fornara won it four times. However, the recent winner is Geraint Thomas.

In 2023, the race will start from June 11 and finish on June 18. So if you want to see the beauty of Switzerland and witness an amazing race, don’t miss the dates.

8. LBL (Liege–Bastogne–Liege)

We have another one from the five monuments of cycling.

The Liege Bastogne Liege is widely regarded as one of the toughest one-day races on the calendar for cycling. The first edition of it was held in 1892. Which makes it one of the oldest one-day races in the world.

Currently it is held in late April annually in Belgium. And the route actually covers a distance of around 250-260 km.

Now, why is it so tough?

The race starts and finishes in Quai des Ardennes in Liege. It takes the riders on a challenging route through eastern Belgium.

The route includes a series of tough climbs and technical descents. Also let’s not forget about the changing weather conditions. There can often be a chance of rain and cold temperatures, that adds extra challenge for riders.

Many famous riders have won Liege-Bastogne-Liege such as Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, Alejandro Valverde, and Philippe Gilbert.

The race has also been won by lesser-known riders who have managed to rise to the challenge and overcome the grueling conditions.

Now, this race might be tough. But it is still watched by millions of cycling fans all around the world. So, that tells you how much caliber this event has. It will continue to get famous and demanding in the future.

So, try to be a part of this must-watch event ASAP.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What is the nickname of the Tour de France?

Answer: There are a couple of nicknames for Tour de France. Such as: TdF, La Grande Boucle, Le Tour.

Question: How many disciplines are there in cycling?

Answer: Four. They are Road cycling, Track cycling, Mountain biking, BMX racing.

Question: What is Alberto Contador doing now?

Answer: Alberto Contador currently is working with the Alberto Contador Foundation under 23 team. He spends most of his time there lately.

Not just that, the Spanish cyclist also participates in various campaigns related to stroke awareness.

Question: Who is the Tour de France 2011 Winner?

Answer: Cadel Evans.

Question: What is the most insane bike race?

Answer: The Isle of Man Tourist Trophy is known as the deadliest motorcycle race. Sadly, it includes 242 deaths.

Question: What is the name of the famous cycling race in Italy?

Answer: Giro d’Italia.

Bottom Line

Through the years, cycling has evolved and adapted to changing times like all other sports. But its spirit remains the same.

There are tons of cycling events. But to us, these eight famous cycling events and races seemed the very best.

We believe you’ll be fortunate enough to witness the beauty and excitement of cycling through these races and events that take place each year. We also hope that the sport will continue to inspire and amaze us for generations to come. Till then, ride safely!