2024 promises to be another bumper year for cycling enthusiasts, with plenty of fascinating races taking place across Europe. Thanks to the Olympics, this year offers an even greater level of competition than usual, and with all the leading cyclists expected to hit peak form, there’s unlikely to be a dull moment. There are dozens of major races taking place this year, but some are worthwhile paying particular attention to. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest races to keep an eye out for in 2024.
Itzulia Basque Country
The Itzulia Basque Country race is known for offering exciting racing, and since it takes place in early April, it usually provides a pretty insight into which riders might fare well in the Grand Tour races. This year’s event offers another level of intrigue thanks to the new rivalry of Primož Roglič and Jonas Vingegaard, who up until recently have been teammates. That’ll provide extra motivation for both riders, who will be eager to come out on top. The race takes place April 1st – 6th.
Tour de France
Tour de France needs no introduction; it’s far and away the most prestigious cycling event in the world, drawing millions of viewers who ordinarily have minimal interest in racing. This year’s event, which takes place from June 29th – July 21st, is shaping up to be even more exciting than usual. For starters, it starts in Italy and ends in Nice, which is a change from the usual running order. With plenty of gruelling mountain stages and a stacked line-up that includes Roglič, Vingegaard, and Pogačar, this may well prove to be one of the most exciting Tour de France races in years.
Giro d’Italia
Giro d’Italia isn’t as famous as the Tour de France, but it’s arguably a more respected race among riders due to its sheer difficulty. Every race involves several steep, steep climbs in mountainous terrain. This year’s route is the shortest in the race’s history, which suggests that it’s shifting towards aggressive, fast-paced racing rather than the usual test of endurance. The shorter route has attracted the interest of Tadej Pogačar, the world’s leading cyclist, who has never competed in the Giro d’Italia and is poised to make his debut. The Slovenian is normally a safe cycling bet for the Tour de France and the Vuelta a Espana, the other two Grand Tour races, and will be confident of picking up the winner’s medal in his maiden appearance in the Giro d’Italia. Previous winner Geraint Thomas will have his own ambitions for victory, however. The race runs from May 4th to May 26th, starting in Venaria Reale and finishing in Rome.
The Olympic Road Races
The Olympic Road Races will take place on August 3rd and 4th. Part of the Olympic Games, the race is just a couple of weeks after the conclusion of the Tour de France, but don’t expect the world’s leading cyclists to miss out on this one. What’s notable about this race is that it’s short with a lot of climbs, which should make it exciting, while the background of the Paris city centre should make for some dreamy shots.
Vuelta a Espana
Closing out what should be an intensely packed summer cycling season is Vuelta a Espana, which will take place from August 17th through September 8th. As always, this race is going to be filled with mountain climbs that’ll push bodies to the limit, which may mean that it’s a slightly different line-up than usual, with some cyclists opting to skip La Vuelta due to the Olympics. The race gets underway in Lisboa and ends on the streets of Madrid.
