In the 19th century, bicycles were used not only in civilian life, but also during military operations. Thousands of soldiers on bicycles participated in the Boer War in what is now South Africa. At the same time, bicycle racing has evolved from an amateur entertainment to a professional sport. The first winner of the world championship in the sprint cycling race from 1893 to the end of the 19th century was the American Arthur Zimmerman.
Introducing you list of the most famous bicycle races in the world.
10. "Six Days of Bremen"
This six-day competition, which has been running since 1933, attracts up to 125,000 spectators. They are held in the German city of Bremen. Many prize-winners from the European and World Championships take part in the cycling race. In 2016 (January 14-19), in addition to the top twelve teams in the Six Days of Bremen, there will be amateur and women's races.
9. Tour Down Under
In 2005, Australia's most important cycling race was awarded the 2.HC category - the highest for racing outside Europe. And in 2008, the Tour Down Under became the first non-European cycling race to receive UCI ProTour status. Competitions are held near Adelaide, across flat and hilly areas.
8. "La Primavera"
The longest one-day cycling race in the world (298 km). Its participants start from Milan and finish their journey to San Remo. It was first held in 1907. La Primavera is one of the five most prestigious and respected classic cycling races. These magnificent five are called Cycling Monuments.
7. "Tour of Flanders"
Another one-day classic bicycle race, this time not Italian, but Belgian, got into the rating of the best cycling races in the world. It, like La Primavera, is one of the Cycling Monuments. It was first held in 1913.
6. "Giro d'Italia"
One of the three Grand Tours of Europe. It has been held since 1909 for 3 weeks. The winner of this cycling race is presented with a pink jersey. The pink pages were the pages of the Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper, the editor of which submitted the idea of creating a cycling race to attract readers.
5. "Tour of Switzerland"
The 2015 cycling ranking continues with competitions that test the strength of the Swiss alpine landscape every year. This is how athletes prepare for the Tour de France. The Tour of Switzerland was first held in 1933.
4. "BMX World Championship"
The annual competition, which took place in July 2015 in the Belgian Heusden-Solder. Two Russian women, Svetlana Admakina (Olympic BMX discipline) and Natalya Afremova (time trial) won silver and bronze, respectively.
3. "World Extreme Games"
The annual Summer Extreme Games are held in Los Angeles, America. During the performances, athletes show tricks in the park, a trick at speed and at height, a trick in the pipe and tricks in conditions close to urban (railings, stairs, etc.).
2. "Tour of Spain"
The three-week Vuelta or Tour of Spain has been around since 1935. Along with the Tour de France and the Giro d'Italia, it is one of the three most prestigious cycling races in the world. Since 2010, the leader of the Tour of Spain has been awarded a red jersey, and before that its color changed several times by the decision of the organizers, who revived the event after long breaks.
1.Tour de France
It is the most popular bicycle race in the world. The competition lasts for three weeks and ends in Paris, on the Champs Elysees. They consist of 21 stages, each of which lasts one day. For the rider's time to be accounted for and accumulated, he needs to complete the stage. The length of the Tour de France ranges from 3000 to 4000 km, the length of the route changes every year. In 1926 there was the longest track (5745 km). The winner of the race will receive a yellow jersey.