In the 19th century, bicycles were used not only in civilian life, but also during hostilities. Thousands of soldiers on bicycles participated in the Boer War in the territory of modern South Africa. At the same time, bicycle racing has evolved from amateur entertainment to a professional sport. The first winner of the world championship in the sprint bike race from 1893 to the end of the 19th century was an American Arthur Zimmerman.
Introducing you list of the most famous bicycle races in the world.
10. The Six Days of Bremen
These six-day competitions, held since 1933, gather up to 125,000 spectators. They are held in the German city of Bremen. Many winners from European and world championships take part in bicycle races. In 2016 (January 14-19), in addition to the twelve best teams in the Six Day Bremen races, there will be amateur races and races for women.
9. “Tour Down Ander”
In 2005, Australia's most important cycling race was assigned category 2.HC - the highest for racing outside Europe. And in 2008, “Tour Down Ander” became the first non-European bicycle race to receive UCI ProTour status. Competitions are held near Adelaide, across the plains and hilly territories.
8. La Primavera
The longest one-day bicycle race in the world (298 km). Its participants start from Milan and complete the journey to San Remo. It was first held in 1907. La Primavera is one of the five most prestigious and respected classic bike races. This magnificent five are called Monuments of cycling.
7. "Tour of Flanders"
The rating of the best cycling in the world includes another one-day classic cycling race, this time not Italian, but Belgian. She, like La Primavera, is one of the Monuments of Cycling. It was first held in 1913.
6. “Giro d’Italy”
One of the three Grand Tours of Europe. It has been carried out since 1909 for 3 weeks. The winner of this bike race is awarded a pink jersey. The pages of the Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper were pink, the editor of which presented the idea of creating a bicycle race to attract readers.
5. “Switzerland tour”
The 2015 cycling race rating continues, which every year the Alpine landscape of Switzerland tests for strength. So athletes get ready for the Tour de France. The first Swiss Tour was held in 1933.
4. "BMX World Championship"
The annual competition, which in July 2015 was held in the Belgian Heusden-Zolder. Two Russians, Svetlana Admakina (Olympic discipline BMX) and Natalia Afremova (race with a separate start) got silver and bronze, respectively.
3. "World extreme games"
Annual Summer Extreme Games are held in Los Angeles, USA. During the performances, athletes show stunts in the park, a stunt at speed and at a height, a stunt in a pipe and stunts in conditions close to urban ones (railings, steps, etc.).
2. "Tour of Spain"
The three-week Vuelta or “Tour of Spain” has existed since 1935. Along with the Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia, it is one of the three most prestigious bicycle races in the world. Since 2010, the leader of the Tour of Spain has been awarded a red T-shirt, and before that, its color changed several times according to the decision of the organizers, who revived the event after long breaks.
1. The Tour de France
It is the most popular cycling race in the world. Competitions last for three weeks and end in Paris, on the Champs Elysees. They consist of 21 stages, each of which lasts one day. In order for the rider’s time to be taken into account and accumulated, he needs to complete the stage. The length of the Tour de France ranges from 3,000 to 4,000 km; the length of the route changes annually. In 1926 there was the longest track (5745 km). The winner of the race receive a yellow jersey.
