The most popular cycling races in the world

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  •  In the 19th century, bicycles were used not only in civilian life, but also in the course of hostilities. Thousands of soldiers on bicycles participated in the Boer War in what is now South Africa. At the same time, cycling has evolved from an amateur pastime into a professional sport. The first winner of the world championship in sprint cycling from 1893 until the end of the 19th century was the American Arthur Zimmerman.

We present to you list of the most famous cycling races in the world.

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10. "Six Days of Bremen"

  •  These six-day competitions, which have been held since 1933, attract up to 125000 spectators. They are held in the German city of Bremen. Many winners from the European and world championships take part in the cycling races. In 2016 (from 14 to 19 January), in addition to the top twelve teams in the Six Days of Bremen races, there will be amateur races and races for women.

9. Tour Down Under

  •  In 2005, Australia's most important cycling race was rated 2.HC, the highest category for racing outside of Europe. And in 2008, the Tour Down Under became the first non-European cycling event to receive UCI ProTour status. Competitions are held near Adelaide, in flat and hilly areas.

8. "La Primavera"

  •  The longest one-day cycling race in the world (298 km). Its participants start from Milan and complete their journey in San Remo. It was first held in 1907. La Primavera is one of the five most prestigious and respected classic cycling races. This magnificent five is called the Monuments of cycling.

7. "Tour of Flanders"

  •  Another one-day classic cycling race has entered the ranking of the best cycling races in the world, 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'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 awarded a pink jersey. Pink were the pages of the newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, the editor of which gave the idea of creating a cycling race to attract readers.

5. "Tour of Switzerland"

  •  The 2015 cycling ranking continues with competitions that every year test the strength of the Swiss Alpine landscape. 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 in July 2015 took place in the Belgian Heusden-Zolder. Two Russian women, Svetlana Admakina (Olympic discipline BMX) and Natalia Afremova (separate start race) got silver and bronze, respectively.

3. "World Extreme Games"

  •  The annual summer extreme games are held in Los Angeles, USA. During the performances, athletes show tricks in the park, a trick at speed and at a height, a trick in a pipe and tricks in conditions close to urban (railings, steps, 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. The leader of the Tour of Spain is given 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 cycling 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. In order for the rider's time to be taken into account and accumulated, he needs to finish the stage. The Tour de France is 3000 to 4000 km long, and the length of the route changes every year. In 1926 there was the longest route (5745 km). The winner of the race receives a yellow jersey.