**Stay Connected to the Heart of Cycling: A Comprehensive Guide**
In this guide, we cover everything you need to know about the world of cycling, from upcoming events in 2024 to the best cycling routes around the globe. Whether you’re a seasoned cycling enthusiast or just getting started, this guide has something for everyone. Join us as we explore the thrilling world of cycling and connect with the heart of this vibrant sport.
Let’s dive in and discover the exciting world of cycling together!
If you’re passionate about the sport of cycling and eager to dive deeper into its vibrant culture, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, I’ll take you through the most thrilling series to watch, spotlight the top cycling tournaments around the globe, and introduce you to the highest-ranked international cycling teams.
You’ll also get a closer look at the most supported cycling clubs in the world. Whether you’re looking to follow your favorite teams, understand more about prestigious cycling events, or simply get more involved in the cycling community, this guide has it all. So gear up and get ready to connect with the heart of cycling!
What are the Upcoming Cycling Events in 2024?
It’s time to pedal through the ever-evolving landscape of today’s cycling world, helping you to ride smarter, faster, and with more joy. So, grab your remote and get ready for a cycling spectacle with these events:
1. 2024 Tour of The Basque Country
Location: Etxebarria, Spain
Dates: April 1 – April 6
This thrilling race unfolds over 6 intense stages, showcasing the challenging terrains of Spain’s Basque Country. It attracts some of the world’s top riders, testing their limits in a mix of mountain stages and time trials.
2. 2024 Scheldeprijs
Location: Antwerp, Belgium
Date: April 3
Known as the sprinter’s classic, the Scheldeprijs covers a flat 208 km route in Belgium. This one-day race is famed for its high-speed finishes and is a key event for sprint specialists.
3. 2024 Paris-Roubaix
Location: Starts in Compiègne, France, ends in Roubaix
Date: April 7
Often called “The Hell of the North,” this iconic 258 km race is notorious for its rough terrain, including cobbled sectors. It’s a true test of endurance and bike handling, culminating in a dramatic finish at the Roubaix Velodrome.
4. 2024 Brabantse Pijl
Location: Overijse, Belgium
Date: April 10
Covering 205 km, this race acts as a transition between the cobbled classics and the hillier Ardennes classics. Riders face numerous short, sharp climbs that provide a dynamic and unpredictable race.
5. 2024 Amstel Gold Race
Location: Maastricht, Netherlands
Date: April 14
This 250 km race is characterized by its relentless succession of short, steep hills, totaling over 30 climbs, which continually reshuffle the group of contenders.
6. 2024 Tour Of The Alps
Location: Starts in Arco, Italy
Dates: April 15 – April 19
This 5-stage race through the mountainous regions of the Alps is a key preparatory event for the Giro d’Italia, featuring high-altitude finishes and stunning landscapes.
7. 2024 La Fleche Wallonne
Location: Marche-en-Famenne, Belgium
Date: April 17
Famous for its brutal final climb up the Mur de Huy, this 196 km race is a midweek challenge between the Amstel Gold Race and Liège–Bastogne–Liège, forming a crucial part of the Ardennes Classics.
8. 2024 Brittany Classic-Ouest France
Location: Plouay, France
Dates: April 20 – April 27
Spanning 229 km, this race is well-regarded for its undulating terrain that can favor both breakaway specialists and strong sprinters in a typically unpredictable finish.
9. 2024 Liege–Bastogne–Liege
Location: Liège, Belgium
Date: April 21
Known as “La Doyenne” (The Old Lady), this 250 km race is the oldest of the classics. Its numerous steep hills make it a decisive battle among climbers and puncheurs.
10. 2024 Tour De Romandie
Location: La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland
Dates: April 23 – April 28
This 6-stage race through the Swiss mountains is a true test of climbing ability and time trialing, serving as a key indicator of form ahead of the Giro d’Italia.
11. 2024 Eschborn-Frankfurt
Location: Eschborn to Frankfurt, Germany
Date: April 27
Known for its festive atmosphere on Labor Day in Germany, this 217 km race combines challenging climbs with high-speed sections, making it a favorite among both climbers and sprinters looking to showcase their versatility.
12. 2024 Giro d’Italia
Location: Starts in Abruzzo, Italy
Dates: May 4 – May 26
One of cycling’s three Grand Tours, the Giro d’Italia covers 21 stages, including time trials, flat sprints, and high mountain stages. It is famed for its dramatic scenery and passionate fans, offering a stern test of endurance and strategy.
13. 2024 RideLondon Essex 100
Location: London, UK
Dates: May 26
This 200 km race is part of a larger festival of cycling in London and Essex. It combines a unique blend of professional road racing and mass participation, attracting cyclists from around the globe.
14. 2024 Criterium du Dauphine
Location: Starts in Saint-Etienne, France
Dates: June 4 – June 11
Serving as a key tune-up for the Tour de France, this 8-stage race features a variety of challenges, from mountain climbs to time trials, testing contenders in the heart of the French Alps.
15. 2024 Tour of Suisse
Location: Starts in Baar, Switzerland
Dates: June 9 – June 18
Known for its stunning Alpine scenery, the 9-stage Tour of Suisse is a major preparation race for the Tour de France, featuring both high mountain stages and time trials that attract a strong international field.
16. 2024 Tour de France
Location: Starts in Florence, Italy
Dates: June 29 – July 21
The crown jewel of cycling’s Grand Tours, the Tour de France covers 21 stages ranging from flat sprints to grueling mountain climbs and time trials. It attracts the best cyclists in the world and millions of spectators both roadside and via broadcast.
17. 2024 Tour of Poland
Location: Starts in Radzymin, Poland
Dates: July 27 – August 2
This 7-stage race is known for its unpredictable weather and varied terrain, which often leads to dramatic changes in the general classification.
18. 2024 Clásica San Sebastián
Location: San Sebastian, Spain
Date: July 27
Held in the beautiful Basque Country, this one-day race is characterized by its tough climbs and spectacular coastal scenery, making it a favorite among climbers and puncheurs.
19. 2024 La Vuelta a España
Location: Starts in Lisbon, Portugal
Dates: August 17 – September 8
The last of the year’s Grand Tours, La Vuelta often features some of the steepest climbs in professional cycling. The race starts in Portugal, marking a scenic and challenging route through the Iberian Peninsula.
20. 2024 EuroEyes Cyclassics Hamburg
Location: Hamburg, Germany
Date: August 18
This 250 km race is the only WorldTour event held in Germany and is particularly known for its flat, fast course that favors the sprinters.
21. 2024 Benelux Tour
Location: Starts in Breda, Netherlands
Dates: August 21 – August 25
Formerly known as the Eneco Tour, this 7-stage race covers parts of Belgium and the Netherlands and includes a mix of flat stages and Ardennes-style climbs, appealing to all-rounders.
22. 2024 Grand Prix de Wallonie
Location: Beaufays, Belgium
Date: September 11
This one-day race, known for its rolling terrain and strategic climbs, highlights the scenic Ardennes region of Belgium. The route typically features several challenging ascents, culminating in a steep finish that often decides the race.
23. 2024 Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec
Location: Quebec City, Canada
Date: September 13
Part of the Canadian WorldTour one-day races, this 200km circuit in the historic heart of Quebec City challenges riders with its undulating laps, technical turns, and punchy climbs, making it a spectacle of tactical racing.
24. 2024 Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal
Location: Montreal, Canada
Date: September 15
Following closely after the Quebec race, this 206km race uses a circuit through the city of Montreal that includes multiple laps of a hilly course. It’s particularly suited to strong climbers and classic specialists who can handle repeated ascents.
25. 2024 Il Lombardia
Location: Bergamo, Italy
Date: October 5
Known as the “Race of the Falling Leaves,” Il Lombardia marks the end of the cycling season for many riders. This classic one-day race is famous for its beautiful but punishing route through the Lombardy region, featuring steep climbs and fast descents, ideal for climbers and descenders.
26. 2025 Volta ao Algarve
Dates: February 12 – February 16
Location: Algarve, Portugal
Kicking off the European cycling season, this early-year stage race in the picturesque region of Algarve is noted for its diverse stages, including flat sprints and mountainous climbs. It’s a great opportunity for riders to test their off-season training results and gain early momentum for the year.
What are the Best Series to Watch in Cycling?
Wondering where to start your cycling obsession? I suggest streaming the following events:
1. Orange Seal Pro Cup p/b Vailocity + UCI XCO Junior Series (C1)
Location: Various locations, USA
This series combines professional and junior cross-country races, providing a platform for elite and emerging talents. With its C1 status, the competition is fierce, and the courses are crafted to push the riders’ technical and endurance limits.
2. Tennessee National (C1)
Location: Tennessee, USA
A highlight in the mountain biking calendar, this event features a challenging course that tests riders with natural and artificial obstacles. It’s a spectacle of skill and stamina, attracting top competitors from around the globe.
3. US Pro Cup presented by Ozark Foundation (C1)
Location: Ozark region, USA
Set in the picturesque Ozarks, this race draws professional mountain bikers to its demanding routes. It’s celebrated for comprehensive challenges that test climbing, descending, and technical skills.
4. US Pro Cup presented by Ozark Foundation + UCI XCO Junior Series (HC)
Location: Ozark region, USA
With an HC classification, this event offers a high-level challenge for both professionals and juniors. It’s a unique opportunity to see young riders measure up against seasoned pros in a rigorous environment.
5. Piney Hills Classic + UCI XCO Junior Series (C2)
Location: Piney Hills, USA
Part of the junior series, this event in Piney Hills tests junior cyclists with its technical sections and quick descents. It’s a perfect venue for young riders to showcase their growing skills.
6. American Continental Championships – XCO – XCC – XCE – XCR (CC)
Location: Varies across the Americas
This continental championship covers all major mountain biking disciplines, attracting the continent’s top talent. Competitors battle across multiple events, highlighting diverse biking skills.
7. Englewood Open + UCI XCO Junior Series (C1)
Location: Englewood, USA
Known for its engaging course, the Englewood Open is a test of endurance and skill, attracting both professional and junior cyclists in a competitive environment.
8. Showdown at Angler’s Ridge (C1)
Location: Angler’s Ridge, USA
Set against a scenic backdrop, this race challenges participants with its dynamic and technical course. It’s a must-watch for fans of intense mountain bike racing.
9. Missoula XC – Mountain Bike (C1)
Location: Missoula, USA
Renowned for its demanding cross-country course, this race in Missoula is a true test of physical fitness and biking technique. It draws enthusiasts who appreciate challenging, natural terrains.
What are the Best Cycling Tournaments to watch?
The World Tour calendar is packed with 37 events. I have picked my favorites and ranked them right here for you:
1. Paris-Nice
Often called “The Race to the Sun,” Paris-Nice is a stage race that sees riders traveling from the cold of Parisian outskirts to the warm Mediterranean climes of Nice. It’s known for its dramatic weather changes and has a critical time trial and challenging mountain stages.
2. Ronde van Vlaanderen (Tour of Flanders)
This monumental one-day race in Belgium features cobblestone roads and steep hills known as “hellingen,” making it a true test of endurance and skill. The atmosphere is electric, with passionate fans lining the route.
3. Vuelta a España
The Vuelta is one of cycling’s three Grand Tours, renowned for its brutal climbs and often scorching late-summer temperatures. It frequently produces unexpected results, making it particularly unpredictable and thrilling.
4. Tour de France
The most famous cycling race in the world, the Tour de France is a three-week Grand Tour known for its prestigious yellow jersey and challenging route across France and neighboring countries. It is a spectacle of strategy, human endurance, and breathtaking landscapes.
5. Giro d’Italia
Famed for its dramatic mountain stages and passionate fans, the Giro d’Italia is a race where the world’s best climbers often shine. The pink jersey, or “maglia rosa,” is the coveted prize in this iconic Italian event.
6. Paris-Roubaix
Dubbed “The Hell of the North,” Paris-Roubaix is infamous for its rough terrain, including numerous cobbled sections that challenge even the toughest riders. The race finishes in the iconic velodrome in Roubaix, where epic battles have unfolded.
7. Strade Bianche
Held in Tuscany, Strade Bianche is known for its white gravel roads and beautiful Italian landscapes. It’s a younger race but has quickly become a favorite due to its picturesque course and tough, dusty conditions.
8. Tour of Romandie
This Swiss stage race is noted for its mountainous profile and often inclement weather. It’s a key preparatory race for the Giro d’Italia, featuring both climbing stages and time trials.
9. BinckBank Tour
This multi-stage race takes place in Belgium and the Netherlands. It’s known for its flat, fast stages and intense time trials, making it a test of all-round cycling ability.
10. E3 Harelbeke
A key warm-up race for the Tour of Flanders, E3 Harelbeke features similar cobblestone sections and steep climbs. It’s a favorite among classic specialists looking to test their form.
11. Amstel Gold Race
Taking place in the Netherlands, this race is characterized by its short, sharp hills and narrow roads. The final kilometers, with the finish in Valkenburg, are particularly explosive and exciting.