What is a one-day bike race? How do the tactics differ from a stage race? Watch on to find out!
Follow GCN on YouTube: http://gcn.eu/gcnsubs
There are a large number of one day races on the professional cycling calendar, including the five so-called "monuments", Liege - Bastogne - Liege, the Tour of Flanders, Paris - Roubiax, Milan Sanremo and the Tour of Lombardy are all around 260km - longer than the average 200km one day race length.
In the past one day races have been even longer than that, with the Bordeaux - Paris race being 560km! Nowadays the UCI limit the length of races to protect riders' health. Many ofthe major one day races come around April and are known as the Spring Classics, frequently featuring cobbles. There are also Autumn one day races, including the World Championships, typically in September.
Even without time bonuses teams still work in a similar way to stage races, protecting their leader for as long as possible and putting them into the best position possible.
Music: AC Revery - Emerging from the mist of time: http://gcn.eu/1nmKWao
Photos: © Bettiniphoto / http://www.bettiniphoto.net/ & ©Tim De Waele / http://www.tdwsport.com
About GCN:
The Global Cycling Network puts you in the centre of the action: from the iconic summit of the Stelvio to the epic trails of Fort William, Scotland, everywhere there is pavé or dirt, world-class racing, and pro riders, we will be there bringing you all the action, essential analysis and unparalleled access every week, every month, and every year.
Welcome to the Global Cycling Network | Inside cycling
Youtube Channel - http://gcn.eu/gcnYT
Facebook - http://gcn.eu/gcnFb
Google+ - http://gcn.eu/gcnGPlus
Twitter - http://gcn.eu/gcnTW
Leave us a comment below!
Music - licensed by Cue Songs
What kit do you need as a beginner cyclist? Hank talks you through the essentials to help kick-start your cycling journey. From cycling clothes to puncture repair kits, this checklist will get you on the roads in no time!
Scientists have found that cycling increases levels of the love hormone, oxytocin. How does this affect your mood? Could cycling improve your social or even love life? In cycling shorts, the first openly gay man to cycle around the globe and Mathieu van der Poel signs another 10-year Canyon deal.
Is this bike the pinnacle of cycling engineering? Si thinks he's found the ultimate bike... a vintage Pinarello Dyna, ridden in the Tour de France by climbing legend, José MarÃa Jiménez. Si tests this spectacular Pinarello Dyna against the latest Dogma to see whether his peak bike theory rings true.
Pro cyclists hit speeds that we mere mortals could only dream of, with professional races averaging over 45kph! We've seen Ollie try to match a pro's descending pace, but how long can he draft a pro on the flat?
Get the latest, most entertaining and best informed news, reviews, challenges, insights, analysis, competitions and offers - straight to your inbox