The most famous cycling races
While the cycling calendar is packed with races, a few stand out for their history, difficulty, and prestige. These are the Grand Tours and the Monuments – the ultimate tests for riders and the most coveted prizes in the sport.
The Grand Tours: three weeks of epic racing
The Grand Tours are the longest and most demanding stage races in cycling, each spanning three weeks and covering thousands of kilometers. They test riders' endurance, climbing ability, sprinting, time trialing skills, and teamwork. Winning a Grand Tour cements a rider's place in cycling history. There are three Grand Tours:
Tour de France
The Tour de France takes place every July in France and is the most iconic cycling race, spanning over 3,000 km across France and occasionally neighbouring countries. It is known for its brutal mountain stages, time trials, and intense competition. It’s one of the three Grand Tours and features stages like the grueling climbs of the Alps and Pyrenees.
www.letour.fr
Giro d'Italia
The Giro d'Italia, held every May in Italy, is the second of the Grand Tours and is known for its challenging mountain stages, especially in the Dolomites and the Alps. Riders race through picturesque Italian landscapes, tackling steep climbs and long time trials. The race is famous for its unpredictable weather and tough conditions, often including rain and snow at high altitudes.
www.giroditalia.it
Vuelta a España
The Vuelta a España is the third Grand Tour and is known for its explosive climbs and high-speed stages. The race often features the steep hills of northern Spain and the Sierra Nevada. It is known for its fast-paced finish and attracts some of the best sprinters in the world, in addition to climbers.
www.lavuelta.es
Decoding the leader's jerseys
A key feature of the Grand Tours is the system of leader's jerseys, awarded to the rider leading a specific classification. These jerseys make it easy for spectators to identify the top performers in different categories.
- Yellow (Tour de France): Signifies the leader in the overall general classification by time.
- Pink (Giro d'Italia): Denotes the leader in the overall general classification by time.
- Red (Vuelta a España): Marks the leader in the overall general classification by time.
- Green (All): Represents the leader in the points classification, typically for sprinters.
- Polka Dot (Tour de France & Vuelta a España): Identifies the leader in the mountains classification for the best climber.
- Blue (Giro d'Italia): Indicates the leader in the mountains classification.
- Purple (Giro d'Italia): Shows the leader in the points classification.
- White (All): Typically signifies the best young rider in the general classification, though historically in the Vuelta it represented the combined classification.
The Monuments: one day, legendary status
Distinct from the multi-week Grand Tours are the Monuments – five specific one-day races renowned for their history, length (often over 250km), and difficulty. Winning a Monument is a career-defining achievement, often requiring explosive power, tactical brilliance, and resilience. They are the oldest, longest, and most prestigious one-day events in cycling.
Often referred to as the "Hell of the North," Paris-Roubaix is one of the oldest and most grueling one-day races in cycling. The race is famous for its cobblestone sectors, which challenge cyclists with rough, uneven terrain. The route runs from Paris to Roubaix and is known for its unpredictable conditions, making it a brutal test of strength and endurance.
The Tour of Flanders (Ronde van Vlaanderen) is one of cycling's five Monument races. It’s famous for its steep, cobbled climbs, such as the Koppenberg and Paterberg, and narrow, winding roads. The race attracts a passionate Belgian crowd and often ends with thrilling sprint finishes. Riders must demonstrate both climbing skills and tactical intelligence to win this prestigious event.
Milan-San Remo is the longest of the Monuments, covering over 290 km through Italy. Known as "La Primavera," it marks the start of the European cycling season. The race is a mix of flat terrain and challenging climbs like the Passo del Turchino and the final Cipressa and Poggio climbs, which often determine the winner in a dramatic sprint finish.
Known as "La Doyenne," Liege-Bastogne-Liege is the oldest of the five Monuments and is considered one of the most difficult one-day races. The event spans a mix of hilly terrain and difficult climbs in the Ardennes region. The race is often decided by a breakaway in the last few kilometers, with climbers typically excelling on its steep hills.
The Giro di Lombardia, officially IL Lombardia, also known as the "Race of the Falling Leaves," is the final Monument of the season. Held in October in northern Italy, it features tough climbs and scenic lakeside roads. Known for its beauty and difficulty, it’s a favorite among climbers and puncheurs.