Cycling grand tours are some of the most exciting and prestigious events in the cycling calendar. They are grueling multi-stage races that test the endurance, speed, and skill of the world’s top cyclists. The three most significant cycling grand tours are the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, and Vuelta a España.
In 2021, these iconic races will be returning with a bang, giving cycling enthusiasts plenty to look forward to. Here’s a closer look at each of the cycling grand tours and what you can expect from them.
Tour de France 2021
The Tour de France is the most famous and prestigious cycling grand tour in the world. It has been held annually since 1903, making it one of the oldest cycling races globally, and it covers a distance of approximately 3,500 km over three weeks. It typically takes place in July, with the starting line alternating between France and neighboring countries.
The Tour de France 2021 is scheduled to start on June 26 in Brest, France, and finish in Paris on July 18, 2021. The race will cover a total distance of 3,383 km over 21 stages, with the hardest mountain stages taking place in the Pyrenees and the Alps.
One of the main attractions of the Tour de France is the battle for the yellow jersey, which is awarded to the rider with the lowest overall time at the end of each stage. Some of the top contenders for the 2021 Tour de France include defending champion Tadej Pogačar, Primoz Roglič, Egan Bernal, and Geraint Thomas. With such a strong field of competitors, the 2021 Tour de France promises to be an exciting and unpredictable race.
Giro d’Italia 2021
The Giro d’Italia is the second most important cycling grand tour, held annually in Italy since 1909. It is a three-week race that covers a distance of approximately 3,500 km, with the route changing every year. The Giro d’Italia is known for its challenging mountain stages and unpredictable weather conditions.
The Giro d’Italia 2021 is scheduled to start on May 8 in Turin and finish in Milan on May 30, 2021. The race will cover a total distance of 3,450 km over 21 stages, with six mountain stages, four of which will feature summit finishes.
The top contenders for the 2021 Giro d’Italia include Egan Bernal, Simon Yates, Vincenzo Nibali, and Remco Evenepoel. All of these riders have shown exceptional form in recent months, and the race promises to be a thrilling battle between them. With its challenging terrain and unpredictable weather, the Giro d’Italia is a test of endurance and skill that only the best cyclists can conquer.
Vuelta a España 2021
The Vuelta a España, also known as the Tour of Spain, is the third and final grand tour of the cycling season. It was first held in 1935 and is held annually in Spain. The Vuelta a España covers a distance of approximately 3,400 km over three weeks, with the route usually featuring challenging mountain stages.
The Vuelta a España 2021 is scheduled to start on August 14 in Burgos and finish in Santiago de Compostela on September 5, 2021. The race will cover a total distance of 3,383 km over 21 stages, with the most challenging mountain stages taking place in the Pyrenees.
Some of the top contenders for the 2021 Vuelta a España include Primoz Roglič, Richard Carapaz, Enric Mas, and Miguel Ángel López. These riders have all shown exceptional form in recent races and have a high chance of winning the coveted red jersey, which is awarded to the rider with the lowest overall time at the end of each stage.
Key Cyclists to Watch
While the cycling grand tours are a team effort, there are always a few individual riders who stand out from the rest. These riders are the ones to watch out for in the 2021 cycling grand tours.
One of the top contenders for the 2021 Tour de France is defending champion Tadej Pogačar. He won the race in 2020 at the age of 21, becoming the youngest winner since 1904. He is known for his climbing ability and could be a strong contender for the yellow jersey. Another top contender is Primoz Roglič, who narrowly missed out on winning the 2020 Tour de France and will be looking to make up for it in 2021.
In the Giro d’Italia, Egan Bernal will be one of the riders to watch out for. He won the Tour de France in 2019 and has shown excellent form in recent races. Simon Yates is another top contender, having won the Vuelta a España in 2018.
For the Vuelta a España, Primoz Roglič will once again be a top contender, having won the race in 2019. Richard Carapaz, the winner of the 2019 Giro d’Italia, will also be a strong contender for the red jersey.
In conclusion, the 2021 cycling grand tours promise to be some of the most exciting races of the year, with some of the world’s top cyclists battling it out for the coveted yellow, pink, and red jerseys. With their challenging routes and unpredictable weather conditions, these races will test the endurance and skill of even the best cyclists. Cycling enthusiasts around the world will be eagerly watching to see who comes out on top in these iconic races.
Key Cyclists to Watch
The cycling grand tours in 2021 will feature some of the world’s top cyclists, each vying for the coveted yellow, pink, or red jerseys. Here’s a quick overview of some of the top contenders for the three races:
- Tadej Pogačar: The Slovenian rider won the 2020 Tour de France and is expected to be a strong contender for the 2021 edition.
- Primoz Roglič: The Jumbo-Visma rider finished second in the 2020 Tour de France and is one of the favorites to win the race in 2021.
- Egan Bernal: The Colombian rider won the 2019 Tour de France but had to withdraw from the 2020 edition due to an injury. He will be looking to make a comeback in 2021.
- Geraint Thomas: The Welsh rider won the Tour de France in 2018 and finished second in 2019. He will be looking to reclaim the yellow jersey in 2021.
- Simon Yates: The British rider won the 2018 Vuelta a España and is expected to be a top contender for the 2021 Giro d’Italia.
- Remco Evenepoel: The Belgian rider is one of the most promising young talents in the cycling world and will be making his grand tour debut in the 2021 Giro d’Italia.
These are just a few of the many top cyclists who will be competing in the three grand tours in 2021. Each of these riders has a unique style and approach to racing, and it will be fascinating to see how they perform in the upcoming races.
Conclusion
The cycling grand tours in 2021 promise to be some of the most exciting and competitive events in the sport’s history. With the world’s top cyclists competing for the yellow, pink, and red jerseys, fans can expect to see plenty of thrilling racing and unexpected surprises.
These races are not just important for the riders and teams involved but also for the cycling community as a whole. They showcase the sport’s best athletes, push the limits of human endurance, and inspire millions of people around the world to get on their bikes and ride.
Looking ahead, the future of cycling grand tours looks bright. With growing interest in the sport, increasing media coverage, and new technologies and training methods, we can expect to see even more exciting races and new stars emerging in the years to come. So, get ready to sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride!