Road cycling is characterized by long races held on roads. Although the competitions can be challenging, athletes have the opportunity to enjoy beautiful scenery along the way. Physical endurance is a crucial factor in sprint and time trial competitions, and is essential for success in these events. Keep reading to find out about the biggest names in road cycling today!
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Biggest names in Road Cycling today: historical context
Road cycling, one of cycling’s most traditional disciplines, has its roots in the invention of the bicycle in the 19th century.
The first official cycling race was held on May 31, 1868 in the Saint-Cloud Park in Paris.
Read on to find out who the biggest names in road cycling today are!
The sport quickly gained popularity in Europe, especially in France, Belgium and Italy, where some of the most emblematic competitions were held.
Over the years, road cycling has evolved significantly. The creation of the Tour de France in 1903 marked an important milestone, consolidating the sport as a competitive discipline and attracting global attention.
The Giro d’Italia, which began in 1909, and the Vuelta a España, which started in 1935, are other examples of competitions that helped popularize road cycling.
Read on to find out who the biggest names in road cycling today are!
Biggest names in Road Cycling today: rules and disciplines
The rules of road cycling are regulated by the International Cycling Union (UCI).
Some of the main ones include
- Equipment: bikes must meet specific weight and design standards.
- Race categories: competitions are divided into various categories, including one-day races (Classics), stages (Grand Tours), and time trials.
- Safety: mandatory use of helmets and other safety equipment.
- Conduct: strict rules against doping and unsportsmanlike conduct.
Modalities
- One-day race: includes classics such as Paris-Roubaix and Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
- Stage races: like the Tour de France, which includes several stages over days or weeks.
- Time trial: where cyclists compete against the clock individually or as a team.
Read on to find out who the biggest names in road cycling today are!
Biggest names in Road Cycling today: curiosities
Family medals
Winning an Olympic medal is a rare feat, but for the Pettersson family from Sweden, the podium was a constant at the Tokyo-1964 and Mexico City-1968 Olympics.
In Tokyo, the three Pettersson brothers, Gösta, Erik and Sture, won bronze in the team road race against the clock. Four years later, at the Games in Mexico, the Swedish team improved its performance.
Tomas Pettersson replaced Sven Harmin, and together with his brothers, they won silver in the same discipline.
Gösta Pettersson also took home a bronze in the individual road race, completing the family celebration.
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The Super Dutchwoman
Leontien Martha Henrica Petronella Zijlaard-van Moorsel, known as Leontien van Moorsel, is a Dutch cyclist whose achievements are impressive.
Born on March 22, 1970, van Moorsel is the most successful road cyclist in history.
At the Sydney-2000 and Athens-2004 Games, she won three gold medals: in the endurance and time trial races in Sydney, and again in the time trial in Athens.
In addition to these achievements, she also shone in the track events, winning gold in the individual pursuit and silver in the points race in Sydney, and bronze in the individual pursuit in Athens, cementing her place in cycling history.
Read on to find out who the biggest names in road cycling today are!
Biggest names in Road Cycling today (Men – World)
Tadej Pogačar (Slovenia)
Multiple winner of the Tour de France.
Primož Roglič (Slovenia)
Winner of several editions of the Vuelta a España.
Wout van Aert (Belgium)
Known for his versatility in classics and time trials.
Biggest names in Road Cycling today (Women – World)
Annemiek van Vleuten (Netherlands)
World champion and winner of several grand tours.
Marianne Vos (Netherlands)
One of the most versatile and successful cyclists of all time.
Anna van der Breggen (Netherlands)
Winner of multiple classics and stage races.
Biggest names in Road Cycling today (Men – Brazil)
Henrique Avancini
Although he is best known for mountain biking, Avancini has also competed in road cycling.
Nicolas Sessler
One of the Brazilians competing in top-level European competitions.
Biggest names in Road Cycling (Women – Brazil)
Flavia Oliveira
Represented Brazil at the Olympic Games and in various international competitions.
Ludmila Lopes
Young promise of Brazilian cycling, competing in national and international events.
Favorites for Paris 2024
- Slovenia: with cyclists like Pogačar and Roglič, the country is a strong contender.
- Netherlands: traditionally strong, especially in the women’s category with names like van Vleuten and Vos.
- Belgium: known for its classics and stage races.
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