Road racing is a sport that was borne in early part of the 1900s. It is extremely popular in France and Italy with many riders and fans alike. In the UK, road racing is upstaged by other more popular sports such football, although it is steadily gaining in popularity.
Road racing takes place on concreted or paved roads and the setting can either be urban or rural. Rural road races often take the riders around winding roads and up and down hills and mountains.
There are 5 definable types of road racing events:
Road Race
These cycling events are held on open roads and generally draw many competitors. Once the race is started riders race towards the finish line, which can be 50 miles or further away. The first rider to cross the finishing line is the winner. The start and finish may be the same place, with riders riding completing laps or one circuit of a track, or the course maybe from point to point. Usually the course is closed off to traffic for the duration of the race.
Criterium
Criteriums are similar to conventional road races with the only difference being that the course is always a circuit. The riders will complete a certain amount of laps of the circuit and the first to cross the finishing line is the winner. Criterium events are much more enjoyable for the spectator as they get to see a lot more of the action, seeing the riders on each and every lap as the pass their vantage point. Criterium events are mass start events, meaning that competitors start at the same time.
Hill Climb
Hill climb cycle races where the finishing point is higher than starting point. These races take place in mountainous/hilly areas. Hill climb cycle races are extremely demanding physically, as there is no let up on the course, although certain areas are more inclined than others. Therefore, great stamina is required.
Time Trail
Time trail cycle events can either be team or individual events. Riders start the race separately at staggered intervals, racing against the stop-watch over pre-defined distances, usually 1-60 miles in length. The course may take the form of a circuit or it may be from point to point.
Stage Race
A stage race is a combination of the above events completed by riders in stages. The rider with the lowest combined stage time is the winner. These events take place over a number of days up to a couple of weeks.
Road racing takes place on concreted or paved roads and the setting can either be urban or rural. Rural road races often take the riders around winding roads and up and down hills and mountains.
There are 5 definable types of road racing events:
Road Race
These cycling events are held on open roads and generally draw many competitors. Once the race is started riders race towards the finish line, which can be 50 miles or further away. The first rider to cross the finishing line is the winner. The start and finish may be the same place, with riders riding completing laps or one circuit of a track, or the course maybe from point to point. Usually the course is closed off to traffic for the duration of the race.
Criterium
Criteriums are similar to conventional road races with the only difference being that the course is always a circuit. The riders will complete a certain amount of laps of the circuit and the first to cross the finishing line is the winner. Criterium events are much more enjoyable for the spectator as they get to see a lot more of the action, seeing the riders on each and every lap as the pass their vantage point. Criterium events are mass start events, meaning that competitors start at the same time.
Hill Climb
Hill climb cycle races where the finishing point is higher than starting point. These races take place in mountainous/hilly areas. Hill climb cycle races are extremely demanding physically, as there is no let up on the course, although certain areas are more inclined than others. Therefore, great stamina is required.
Time Trail
Time trail cycle events can either be team or individual events. Riders start the race separately at staggered intervals, racing against the stop-watch over pre-defined distances, usually 1-60 miles in length. The course may take the form of a circuit or it may be from point to point.
Stage Race
A stage race is a combination of the above events completed by riders in stages. The rider with the lowest combined stage time is the winner. These events take place over a number of days up to a couple of weeks.