One thing that even the most dedicated fan of cycling would admit is that there are other sports that enjoy greater popularity. Football, golf and cricket are just three examples.
Cycling does have its own passionate fan base though, with people who follow the events on the calendar. Then there are the major races – these are the ones that attract casual sports fans as well as true enthusiasts.
By this we mean the likes of the Tour de France, which is the most iconic race of all. People do not just watch this; they search for the best odds and lay wagers on it.
Sometimes those cycling gamblers are sports fans and at other times they are more interested in the betting. The latter are the kind of punters who like online casinos too and seek out ones where they can make fast deposits using PayPal.
This article will list the best cycling events in the world.
Tour de France
The world of professional cycling has three Grand Tours and all are considered to be among its top events. Any list of the greatest must place this one above all others though – the Tour de France has transcended the world of cycling to be regarded as a global sporting spectacle.
It is the oldest of the Grand Tours and was first held all the way back in 1903. The origins of this legendary race lie in a bid to boost sales of a newspaper called L’Auto, but that is long forgotten now.
To modern fans, the Tour de France is an event that combines elite-level cycling skills with endurance. Competitors must complete 21 stages which range from time trials to steep uphill mountain climbs.
The route comes to an end at the Arc du Triomphe on the Champs-Elysees in Paris, which adds to the iconic feel of the race. The Tour de France is quite simply the event that defines the sport of cycling in the eyes of most people.
Photo Credit: Fabio Ferrari/LaPresseGiro d’Italia
Another of the Grand Tour events is the annual Giro d’Italia. As its name would suggest, this mainly takes its entrants through Italy – although it can also see them cycle through other countries.
One of the things that make it so much more impressive than the many smaller cycling events is the abilities of the competitors. The Giro d’Italia attracts the finest cyclists and is always won by one of the stars of the sport.
Then there is the spectacular route that the competitors cycle along. Just as with the Tour de France, part of the appeal for the viewers is the stunning scenery that serves as the backdrop to the action.
The prize for the winner is a pink jersey, whereas for the Tour de France it is the yellow jersey. The Giro d’Italia dates back to 1909 and is another race that was created by the owner of a newspaper – in this case La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Vuelta a Espana
Third on the list of the best cycling events is the last of the Grand Tours. The Vuelta a Espana is a race with a route that is mostly focused on Spain, although again it does sometimes take in other nations.
It is another annual event, but it is not quite as old as the other two Grand Tours. The Vuelta a Espana was held for the first time in 1935, although it suffered a great deal of disruption during the first twenty years.
It only became a regular yearly event in 1955 and is now considered the third most prestigious. This race is one of the toughest for the competitors though – due to its taking place towards the end of summer.
That is a time of year when Spain is extremely hot, so competitors must prepare themselves carefully. The drama of watching people cycle through difficult terrain under an unforgiving sun is why this race stands out among the many cycling events.
Milan San Remo
No one within the sport disputes that the Grand Tours are the greatest cycling events, but after them it is open to question what the best ones are. There would be a lot of votes for the Milan San Remo though.
Known as ‘The Spring Classic’, it takes the cyclists through much of Italy from Milan to San Remo in the northwest. The course lasts for just over 301 km and it is flatter than many of the other big cycling events.
The challenge for the cyclists is more about the length than the conditions. It is an endurance test and that earns it a place among the finest events.
These four cycling events are the absolute greatest and winning any of them is a genuine milestone in the career of a cyclist.
