Cycling races aren’t just limited to the Tour de France; every year, a huge variety of cycling competitions take place across the globe, encompassing road, off-road and track events. With so many different types, it can be difficult to keep up with all aspects of the cycling world. From track competitions to huge outdoor adventures, here are some of our favourite types of cycling events.
Road to Nowhere
The cornerstone of competitive cycling, road races can range from short sprints to huge 200km rides and multi-stage events. The three Grand Tours (the Giro d’Italia, Vuelta a España and Tour de France) are some of the world’s largest races, attracting the highest calibre cyclists from across the globe. Road races are incredibly exciting, and if you ask somebody to name a cycling event, the Tour de France is bound to be at the top of their list.
It’s All Downhill From Here
Mountain bike downhill events are timed races that include thrilling sprints down courses that are filled with tight twists and turns, obstacles and jumps. They’re thrilling to watch, as competitors throw themselves into (often literally) trying to achieve the best times; expertly navigating courses, jumps and other obstacles. Courses range from mountain trails with natural obstacles to urban courses winding down city streets and back alleys. They make us nervous just watching them!
The Chase Is On
When it comes to track cycling there are many events to choose from, but our favourite might just be the 4,000m team pursuit! Two teams go head-to-head on opposite sides of the velodrome competing for the best times, with cyclists taking turns to lead the team. From the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 until the most recent in 2024, Great Britain is the country with the most track cycling Olympic medals, including thirty-three gold.
Uphill Struggle
The complete opposite of downhill mountain biking events, hill climbs see cyclists battle against gravity in a time trial up a steep incline. The National Hill Climb Championship takes place on the last Sunday in October, and has done since 1944. Not for the faint of heart, this notorious British competition is a tough climb up some steep, fierce gradients.
All-Terrain
A true all-terrain event, in cyclo-cross, competitors quickly dismount and carry their bikes while traversing obstacles and climbing steep hills. Perhaps the toughest cyclo-cross event in the world, the Annual Three Peaks Cyclo-Cross, is a 38-mile race, including 5,000 feet of climbing. 34 miles are cyclable, with cyclists having to walk and climb the rest of the way. First completed by 14-year-old Kevin Watson in 1959, the first official version of the race took place in 1961.
We hope this blog has given you an insight into the different types of cycling events! If we’ve inspired you to get on your bike, you might want to think about taking out insurance. At The Insurance Emporium, our Bicycle Insurance includes cover for Theft, Loss Or Accidental Damage as Standard, with a range of Optional Benefits, like cover for Competitive Use. You could even receive up to 20% discount!* Jump on your bike and cycle down to The Insurance Emporium to find out more.
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