Road bicycle racing is a thrilling and dynamic form of competitive cycling, held on paved roads. It is the most popular professional cycling discipline globally, attracting numerous competitors, events, and spectators. The sport’s key formats include mass start events, where riders begin together and race to a designated finish point, and time trials, in which individuals or teams compete against the clock. Stage races, also called “tours,” span multiple days, with riders competing in consecutive stages that are either mass start or time-trial events.
Historically, professional road racing has been most prominent in Western Europe, particularly in countries like France, Spain, Italy, and the Low Countries. Since the mid-1980s, the sport has expanded, with races now taking place on all continents, showcasing its global appeal.
