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5 other cycle races from around the world
Posted on Jul 11, 2022
Mention world famous cycle races and one in particular springs to mind. Or two if you’re from Yorkshire.
But there are certainly races that meet the renowned Tour de France in distance and duration, as well as gruelling one dayers, wild terrain routes, and one race fondly dubbed “The Hell of the North.”
Here are five global cycle races that compete with France’s jewel in the cycling competition crown, and Yorkshire’s new kid on the block. For those readers who aren’t from the county, we’re of course referring to the Tour de Yorkshire:
The 21-day slogs
Giro d’Italia
2,000 – 2,200 miles, 21 days
The name gives the location away. The Giro d’Italia, also known as the “La Corsa Rosa” began in 1909 and takes in Tuscan dirt roads, lung-busting climbs of the Dolomites and Alps, and some very interchangeable weather across 21 days.
Vuelta a España
2,000 – 2,200 miles, 21 days
Meanwhile, over in Spain riders are taken up four substantial climbs as they traverse the Pyrenees for Vuelta a España, which began in 1985. Alto de L’Angliru has featured on and off, gaining notoriety as the toughest climb not just in Spain, but in Europe. Described as “extreme” and even “inhumane”, the incline which reaches 23.5% at one stage defeated cyclist David Miller in 2002, who removed his race numbers in protest after just stopping short of the summit.
The longest day
Milan-San Remo
185 miles, 1 day
Kicking off in 1907, the “Sprinter Classic” held in Italy is mostly flat. This is just as well, as entrants to the Milan-San Remo have to cover 185 miles of Italian Riveria in just one day, making it the longest one-day race in pro-cycling.
The “Hell of the North”
Paris-Roubaix
150 miles, 1 day
If Milan-San Remo is the longest day race, Paris-Roubaix is one of the most testing. Dubbed the “Hell of the North”, the 150 mile takes competitors through 30 cobbled sectors, including a bone-rattling 1.5mile stretch which is the Trouée d’Arenberg. Mechanical problems and crashes prevail in this bumpy ride which first began in 1896.
The west-coast darling
Amgen Tour of California
650-750 miles, 8 days
The newest of our alternative five, the Amgen Tour of California (AToC) which began in 2006 clashes with Italy’s Giro and still manages to bring in the cycling world’s finest. Competitors and spectators alike are treated to the fairest landscapes the Golden State has to offer, with redwoods, vineyards, farmlands and the coastline all featuring.
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