Competitive cycling is a sport that uses different types of bicycles. There are several disciplines in competitive cycling such as road cycling, track cycling, mountain biking, trial, cyclocross, and BMX, with various specialties within each. Competitive cycling is recognized as an Olympic sport. The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) is the world governing body for cycling and international competitive cycling events. Let’s look at the different cycling disciplines available.
Road Cycling
1. One-day road race. The most successful races of this type are called classics, among which are the so-called cycling monuments. 2. Stage race. These last a minimum of two days with a time classification. They consist of road stages and time trials. Highlights include the Vuelta a España, Giro d’Italia, and the most prestigious, the Tour de France. The objective is to finish all stages in the shortest possible time. Next, we continue with mountain biking.
A usual specialty of mountain biking. Bicycles generally have front suspension only, although rear suspensions are starting to be used. This event consists of completing a set number of laps on a circuit usually between 8 and 11 kilometers long.
Marathon
This specialty uses bicycles with the same characteristics as Cross Country, but competitions do not take place on short circuits. The routes usually cover 40-100 km in natural environments.
Downhill
This specialty involves racing downhill on a course with jumps and both natural and artificial obstacles. Bikes have front and rear suspension with shock absorbers and hydraulic oil, disc brakes, wider tires, and chainring or chain guide protectors. Protective gear is very similar to motocross gear, including full-face helmets, gloves, elbow pads, shin and knee guards, and goggles. It is the most extreme discipline in cycling.
Cyclocross
A cycling discipline born in the mid-20th century that consists of completing a number of laps on a circuit with sections of asphalt, paths, and meadows with obstacles (natural or artificial) requiring the rider to dismount to overcome them. The main feature is the use of road bikes, but with some differences such as wider tires for better traction on dirt and mud, or mountain bike pedals, among others. It is common for some road professionals to use cyclocross for winter training.
Indoor Cycling
This is subdivided into two categories:
Artistic Cycling
An indoor sport similar to figure skating on ice and gymnastics, practiced with special bikes and recognized by the Union Cycliste Internationale. It requires skill, balance, concentration, and courage. This sport is very popular in Germany, where there are about 10,000 licenses.
Cycle-ball
An exclusively male sport where two teams compete to score goals in the opponent’s goal. It originates from football but uses bicycles.
And finally, BMX Cycling
Known by the acronym BMX and the Spanish term “bicicrós,” there are two disciplines:
BMX Race
The first is practiced on circuits with turns and obstacles; it is currently an Olympic sport. The second involves performing tricks on the bicycle, called
Freestyle
This is practiced with a BMX bicycle. The sport consists of performing tricks on the bike. There are two types of freestyle:
* Urban freestyle: performing tricks on streets, squares, stairs, etc.
* Ramp freestyle: performed on a specially made circuit. Cycling is a very complete sport, both physically and with its different disciplines so you can choose the one you like the most...
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