Top Professional Cycling Events to Know

Cycling is one of those sports that you can enjoy from all angles. Today, you can spend entire hours riding a bike, while tomorrow you can become a spectator and go and watch pro athletes compete against each other. You can even add to the overall amusement of the sport through betting – just visit some of the best online casinos and claim your 10 euro deposit bonus to start the show. That way, you can also win some money on the side whilst watching your favorite athletes in action.

However, all this requires at least some basic knowledge of our beloved sport. This is where we step in to explain a thing or two about the top pro cycling events you ought to be aware of. Let’s take a closer look!

History of Professional Cycling Events

The history of cycling is too vast for a single blog post section, but pro cycling as we know it today dates back to the late 19^th century – this is when most of the modern races started evolving in one form or another.

It all began with the first recorded race in 1868 in the Parc de Saint-Cloud, France. This event paved the way for the Tour de France, which took off in 1903 as a promotional stunt for L’Auto newspaper. Italy didn’t wait for too long to introduce its own major event: Giro d’Italia launched in 1909. In the meantime, Spain started preparing another big event and officially introduced Vuelta a España in 1935. Beyond the Grand Tours, the cycling tour boasts one-day Spring Classics such as Paris-Roubaix as well as countless other local, national, or international events.

Iconic Races Around the World

Some events are more glamorous than others, for one, there’s the Tour de France – it makes for a sensational combo of over 3,300 kilometers of steep mountain climbs and sprints.

Then there’s Giro d’Italia. Most people recognize the event by its genuinely unpredictable weather paired with breathtaking Italian landscapes. On the other hand, Vuelta a España is probably the most famous (or notorious?) for its brutally steep ascents. The Monument Classics are also important as they feature a set of five one-day races. One of them is Milan-San Remo, also known as one of the longest one-day races at nearly 300 kilometers.

But the sport goes well beyond Europe: Events like the Tour Down Under in Australia have helped expand the sport’s global reach – it currently attracts roughly 680 million followers across the globe.

Betting Opportunities in Cycling Tournaments

Unlike team sports, cycling betting is truly unique because it mainly focuses on individual performances in a hard-to-predict environment. The most common wagers are as follows:

–        Outright winners

–        Stage winners

–        King of the Mountains (best climber)

–        Points Classification (best sprinter)

–        Podium finishes (top three)

In some cases, you’ll wish to place head-to-head bets: It’s a sign that you closely follow the sport and understand who holds the upper hand on a given day. Betting is particularly interesting when it comes to single-day races since these add an extra layer of unpredictability – weather as well as race tactics can dramatically alter the expected results.

Ranking Systems and How They Work

Bear in mind that pro cycling determines the world’s best riders and teams based on performance across multiple races. That’s also why it requires a special ranking system – or a few of them, to be more precise. For one, there’s the UCI World Ranking. It is the most respected system as it awards points based on results in UCI-sanctioned events. In this system, riders accumulate points individually, whereas teams (and nations) also have rankings based on collective performances. In the meantime, the UCI WorldTour Ranking focuses exclusively on top-tier races like the Tour de France: It gives extra weight to victories in prestigious events.

Preparing for Cycling Spectator Events

Watching a cycling race in person is an unmatched experience, but a little preparation goes a long way to make the most of it. First, you should analyze the race route. That way, you can spot key locations like mountain summits or sprint finishes. Another tip is to arrive early so as to claim a good vantage point, especially if you are about to visit a popular race such as Tour de France or Paris-Roubaix.

Dressing appropriately is important for the weather and bringing items like sunscreen or rain gear. In addition, food and water may not always be available nearby, so packing snacks is usually a smart move. As for the multi-stage races, it’s best to follow the event across different locations for a fuller experience.

Cycling Is In the League of Its Own

Cycling is in the league of its own versatility-wise. The sport offers all you can ask for – you can be an active participant, a spectator, a dedicated social media fan, and even a punter who places bets on the biggest events. It’s hard to outperform such an amazing sport, so make sure to enjoy it in all of its aspects.

The post Top Professional Cycling Events to Know appeared first on PezCycling News.