Not many sports enthusiasts know how fun cycling can be. It combines intense physical endurance, strategic teamwork, and breathtaking scenery which is a very good sport to spectate. Additionally, when you get to know this sport more and more, if you are an experienced bettor, it can become a new sport to wager in. Now, if you just got into this sport, and want to place your first crypto bet, you will need some guidance. Luckily, we’ve prepared this step by step guide on how to place your first bet and what to look for in your ideal crypto sports bookmaker.
Get to Know the Sport
Before even considering placing a bet, knowing the ins and outs of cycling is a must. Cycling is a diverse sport with various disciplines, each requiring different skills and equipment. Here are some key aspects to understand:
Different Cycling Disciplines
Road Cycling: This is the most popular form of cycling, featuring long-distance races on paved roads. Events like the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia fall under this category.
Mountain Biking: This discipline involves off-road cycling on rough terrains. It includes subcategories like cross-country, downhill, and enduro.
Track Cycling: Conducted on velodromes, this discipline focuses on speed and strategy in a controlled environment. It includes events like sprints, time trials, and pursuit races.
Cyclo-cross: A mix of road cycling and mountain biking, cyclo-cross races take place on varied terrains and often require riders to dismount and carry their bikes over obstacles.
BMX: BMX racing involves short, intense races on dirt tracks with jumps and tight turns. BMX freestyle focuses on performing tricks and stunts.
Gravel Cycling: This is a relatively new discipline that combines elements of road and mountain biking, typically on unpaved roads.
Types of Bikes
Road Bikes: Designed for speed on paved roads, these bikes have lightweight frames, narrow tires, and drop handlebars.
Mountain Bikes: Built for rough terrains, they feature sturdy frames, wide knobby tires, and suspension systems to absorb shocks.
Hybrid Bikes: Combining features of road and mountain bikes, hybrids are versatile and suitable for both commuting and light off-road riding.
BMX Bikes: Compact and robust, these bikes are designed for racing on dirt tracks and performing tricks.
Gravel Bikes: Similar to road bikes but with wider tires and more durable frames, gravel bikes are ideal for mixed-terrain riding.
Track Bikes: These bikes are used in velodrome racing and have a fixed gear with no brakes, emphasizing simplicity and speed.
Understanding these disciplines and bike types will help you make informed decisions when placing your bets. Each discipline has its own set of strategies, key players, and unique challenges, making cycling a rich and exciting sport to follow and wager on.
Choose the Right Bookmaker
Successful betting requires finding a bookmaker that matches your preferences. First of all, you need to choose one that accepts cycling betting, or your preferred event. After that, you need to see if your preferred cryptocurrency is accepted. Now, there can be one or even many that have these criteria, but you still need to filter. Ideally, the last filter will be the one site that offers the biggest odds for your favorites. If you want to start somewhere, you can check this list of crypto gambling sites available in Canada and filter the ones that match the criteria.
Keeping up with the Odds
As we said, always choosing the one that offers the best odds. However, as with any sport, the odds are changing all the time. Plus, having a basic knowledge over the meaning of odds is essential for a great overall betting strategy.
Take in consideration that every betting site does not calculate the odds the same way and they are constantly changing due to athletes overall performance or any potential injury or scandal occuring. You can keep up with the odds online or by visiting your local bookie, and follow the odds everyday in order to stay a step ahead. With plenty of options for a bet out there, some of the most popular bet types are field bets (where each cycling in the race has an equal winning chance) and each-way bets (where you create your own list of winning, as you select which rider will finish first, second or third). Another interesting bet is the accumulator, that includes multiple bets, singles and doubles, for an increased payouts.
Newbies Always Start Small
The most important advice that you have on your mind is to start small when being a first time bettor. If you are new to cycling betting make sure to get a feel for the market, avoid placing all of your money on a single event, as this might lead to a short betting experience and higher financial losses. Some of the best crypto betting platforms offer a free betting chance for first time bettors, so use that opportunity to take a glimpse of this betting world without risking your own money. Once you’re comfortable you can make riskier bets.
Major Races
Cycling betting relies around three major markets: the spring classics, grand tours, and world championships. Here are some of the most popular events that every bettor should be aware of:
Tour de France
The Tour de France is the superstar of cycling events in the world, attracting huge numbers of cycling bettors. This event is usually a great place to start betting as it is the most watched cycling event globally and bookies during this event offer a lot of betting opportunities.
Milan-San Remo
Milan-San Remo is the longest one-day classic race, covering nearly 300 kilometers. Held in March, it kicks off the cycling season and is one of the favorites among cycling bettors. The race is meant for sprinters and offers an exciting betting opportunity on who might be the winner as it requires a lot of speed and endurance from the athletes taking part in it. Usually predicting this outcome requires a lot of knowledge and expertise.
Giro d’Italia
The Giro d’Italia, which takes place in May, is the first of the Grand Tours and is said to be one of the most unpredictable events in cycling. Each cyclist faces cruel weather conditions, from snow to blazing sun all in a short span of time, making even experienced bettor’s predictions with a layer of uncertainty. This event is extremely important to bettors on the long run since it’s the perfect chance to assess riders overall shape and performance during the Grand Tour season.
Olympic Games
Cycling is an important part of the Olympic Games and winning gold is the most prestigious award for cyclists. With multiple races happening, including road races, BMX, relays, and sprints bookies offer many opportunities for placing the perfect bet. For bettors, the Olympic Games offers a unique opportunity to place a bet on less familiar cycling disciplines that aren’t usually included in mainstream events.
Vuelta a España
The Vuelta a España is one of the most difficult races in the Grand Tour, taking place in the massive heat of August. Riders must climb many steep mountains in the super hot weather making this competition extremely difficult. As it is happening at the end of the season, most of the competitors are exhausted which adds a bit of unpredictability in your betting strategy.
To Sum up
For the cycling fanbase, betting offers another form of excitement, as they have an opportunity to bet on classics such as the Tour de France or more unpredictable events such as Giro d’Italia. The key is knowing the odds, the insights and the expert’s tips. So stay updated and follow sites that offer everyday information over cycling and cyclists.
