If you are a newcomer to the world of professional cycling and have recently started watching grand tour races on television, then there may well be some confusion over what all the riders are actually racing for, and what the different jerseys that they are awarded actually mean. Road bike racing is best understood as consisting of several races within a race. This means that there are different things to race for between riders with differing specialities.
The General Classification is the perhaps the most glamorous and famous of the various things to win in a bike race. The jersey which is awarded the winner of the General Classification is accorded the most recognition, as it is the rider who has finished the whole tour in the shortest time. In the Tour de France, this jersey is yellow, while it is red in the Vuelta a Espana.
While all-round riders tend to try for victory in the General Classification, there are other jerseys to race for too. Every great bicycle touring race is divided into different stages which take place on each day. Some riders, generally those who are great at sprint finishes, will compete for stage wins.
Points are then awarded for stage wins as well as for places after the winner. Additional points can be picked up by being the first rider to pass certain nominated places along the course, known as interim sprints. Riders then compete over the course of the race for a points jersey, which is green in the case of the Tour de France.
Another colour of jersey is awarded to riders who are strong on climbs and hills, the so-called 'King of the Mountains' jersey, which is for riders with real endurance. This works in a similar way to the competition for the points jersey, with riders awarded mountain points for completing certain sections of the race. This is jersey is white with red polka dots in the case of the Tour de France.
These three jerseys are the main ones which riders compete for the in the great endurance road races of the sport. For other riders though, there are still important contributions to make to your team's success. Every yellow or green jersey contender needs help from hard working team mates, often referred to as 'domestiques'.
This is where the riders known as 'domestiques' come into their own. While the role may sound unglamorous, it is one of the most important jobs in cycling. These riders are hard-working team members who pace the jersey contenders into position. They drive sprinters towards the line on flat, fast finishes, and help contenders for the General Classification stay in contention on long climbs and testing stretches of the course.
These layers of competition help to give cycling its global appeal and wide reach. It is a thrilling sport in which to compete, as well as to watch, with complexity and simplicity combining beautifully. There is always something to race for in cycling.
The General Classification is the perhaps the most glamorous and famous of the various things to win in a bike race. The jersey which is awarded the winner of the General Classification is accorded the most recognition, as it is the rider who has finished the whole tour in the shortest time. In the Tour de France, this jersey is yellow, while it is red in the Vuelta a Espana.
While all-round riders tend to try for victory in the General Classification, there are other jerseys to race for too. Every great bicycle touring race is divided into different stages which take place on each day. Some riders, generally those who are great at sprint finishes, will compete for stage wins.
Points are then awarded for stage wins as well as for places after the winner. Additional points can be picked up by being the first rider to pass certain nominated places along the course, known as interim sprints. Riders then compete over the course of the race for a points jersey, which is green in the case of the Tour de France.
Another colour of jersey is awarded to riders who are strong on climbs and hills, the so-called 'King of the Mountains' jersey, which is for riders with real endurance. This works in a similar way to the competition for the points jersey, with riders awarded mountain points for completing certain sections of the race. This is jersey is white with red polka dots in the case of the Tour de France.
These three jerseys are the main ones which riders compete for the in the great endurance road races of the sport. For other riders though, there are still important contributions to make to your team's success. Every yellow or green jersey contender needs help from hard working team mates, often referred to as 'domestiques'.
This is where the riders known as 'domestiques' come into their own. While the role may sound unglamorous, it is one of the most important jobs in cycling. These riders are hard-working team members who pace the jersey contenders into position. They drive sprinters towards the line on flat, fast finishes, and help contenders for the General Classification stay in contention on long climbs and testing stretches of the course.
These layers of competition help to give cycling its global appeal and wide reach. It is a thrilling sport in which to compete, as well as to watch, with complexity and simplicity combining beautifully. There is always something to race for in cycling.
About the Author:
Visit VeloRefined for a large choice of bikes and accessories including wheels by lightweight
Posting Komentar