Cycling RoadWhat is road cycling?
Road cycling involves mass races or time trials raced on usually paved roads, although sometimes also over cobblestones or very occasionally gravel roads.
By whom, where and when was Road Cycling invented?
Bicycles were first developed in the mid-18th century and have been a popular form of transport ever since.
In 1885, cycling took a big leap forward when J.K. Starley devised the chain-and-gearing system. Since then, engineers have embraced modern technology to build ever faster, sleeker and lighter bikes.
From 1880 to 1900, cycling became immensely popular both in Europe and the United States. The professional sport maintained its place in the public imagination, especially in Europe. Over the last 20 years, road cycling has experienced a movement towards globalisation.
What are the rules of Road Cycling?
Depending on the organiser of each race, there may be different rules specific to each race (such as limits on rider feeds or technical or radio assistance). However, dangerous blocking—especially in sprint finishes—is outlawed at competitive levels and can result in a time penalty, relegation to the back of the field, or disqualification. There are also rules on allowable equipment.
Road cycling and the Olympics
Like fencing and athletics, cycling is among the rare sports that have always featured on the Olympic programme. Road cycling, however, was not on the programme of the Paris 1900, St. Louis 1904 or London 1908 Games.
The first road event in Olympic history took place in 1896 on the marathon route at the first Games of the modern era in Athens. The race started in Athens, headed towards Marathon, then returned to Athens, at the Phaliron velodrome.
Since the 1912 Games in Stockholm, an individual event (time trial or road race) has been organised at each edition of the Games. The team time trial was on the programme between 1912 and 1992. 1996 marked the debut of the individual time trial, separate to the road race, at the Olympic Games in Atlanta.
Olympic cycling was added to the women’s programme in Los Angeles in 1984, with an individual road event. Later, in 1996, the individual time trial was included in women’s Olympic cycling, as it was for the men’s.
Best Road Cycling riders to watch
With the time trial and road race being different specialties, only a few riders are truly capable of challenging for both types of event. Additionally, stage races comprise of both time trials and road races. In a one-day race setting such as at the Olympic Games, the best riders depend on the course selected—be it flat, hilly, or mountainous terrain. Current big names in road cycling include Tadej Pogacar, Tom Pidcock, Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert, Julian Alaphilippe, Lotte Kopecky, Annemiek van Vleuten, Elisa Longo Borghini, and others.
Road Cycling competition rules and event format at Paris 2024
The time trials were individual events against the clock. The road races were mass-start events, with the first across the finish line winning. Riders a certain amount of time behind the leader were removed from the race.