Cyclosportive
Encyclopedia
A cyclosportive, or often simply sportive, is a short to long distance, organised, mass-participation cycling
event, typically held annually.
Cyclosportive is short for the French
term randonnée cyclosportive (the spelling cyclosportif is sometimes also used but cyclosportive is correct as randonnée is a feminine noun
in French). The Italian term gran fondo is commonly used for these events in the United States.
Participants, many cyclists use sportives to challenge themselves in a personal battle against the distance and then ultimately, the clock. Also like the marathon, the top placed riders in a cyclosportive ride the event like a race and there are prizes awarded and considerable prestige for top place finishers in events like La Marmotte
, L'Étape du Tour
and the Ardechoise.
A cyclosportive falls between a traditional cycle road race
and the more challenging non-competitive randonnée
or Audax
events. Riders normally carry a number and the time they take to complete the course is recorded. There is usually an upper time limit within which the course must be completed (unlike many randonnée events, there is no lower limit preventing riders from completing the course quickly). The already lengthy course will traditionally include climbs and difficult riding conditions, adding to the merit of the event (e.g. the cobblestones of the Paris–Roubaix).
The routes will usually be well sign-posted and/or marshalled (some cyclosportives take place on roads which have been closed to motor traffic for the duration of the event), riders will be able to use feeding stations positioned at intervals along the route to replenish their food and drink supplies and mechanical and medical support may also be provided. Some attract thousands of participants - since 2000 l'Etape du Tour
has offered places to 8,500 riders each year.
style. The majority of riders will simply be happy to complete the distance within the time allowance. It is common in France and Italy for prizes to be awarded to the winner and to those winning age-related categories. In the United Kingdom, sportives are not held as races in order to avoid strict rules governing cycle races on the Highway as per the Cycle Races on the Highways Regulations 1960.
, which was first run in 1982 on a route starting in Bourg d'Oisans and taking in the Col de la Croix de Fer
, Col du Telegraphe
, Col du Galibier
and Col du Lautaret
before climbing to finish at the top of one the most famous Tour de France climbs at Alpe d'Huez
. It remains one of the most popular cyclosportive events today in Europe and is often considered to be the hardest cyclosportive.
Arguably the most famous of the cyclosportives today is the French l'Etape du Tour
, held each July over a stage of that particular year’s Tour de France, usually a mountain stage. This over-subscribed event sees approximately 7,500 riders attempting to emulate the professional cyclists. The Ardéchoise is one of Europe's largest event with 15,000 riders taking part but this time participants are able to choose from a range of circuits, from 66 km to 268 km. The Ronde van Vlaanderen had 18,000 participants in its 2007 edition and 17,000 in 2008. Riders can also choose from different circuits including mountainbike courses, from 28 km to 256 km. These events often enjoy roads closed to traffic for the duration of the event, allowing riders to enjoy the full width of the road and to profit from the often technical sections of the route.
Another coveted French event mimics the legendary one-day classic Paris–Roubaix. Held bi-annually, this 260 km (161.6 mi) sportive increases the test of reliability and endurance yet further with 26 sections of pavé which total some 42 km (26miles). It is not uncommon for riders to break bikes and even bones over these cobbled roads.
Other notable events are the Cape Argus Cycle Tour
in South Africa which celebrated its 30th year in 2007 with 40,000 entrants. Italy’s Gran Fondo Pinarello, Maratona dles Dolomites and Spain's Quebrantahuesos are well known among the scores of torturous but popular European events. The largest open road cyclosportive in the UK is the Verenti Dragon Ride Wales
, held each June over a challenging 200 km mountainous course in South Wales. There are two UK cyclosportives to be held on closed roads, the annual Etape Caledonia which attracted some 3,500 cyclists in its 2009 edition and follows a route around the Perthshire highlands and the newly announced 'Etape Cymru' which is due to be held in October 2011 and follows the roads around North Wales including the Clywdians and the Horseshoe Pass.
Cycling
Cycling, also called bicycling or biking, is the use of bicycles for transport, recreation, or for sport. Persons engaged in cycling are cyclists or bicyclists...
event, typically held annually.
Cyclosportive is short for the French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
term randonnée cyclosportive (the spelling cyclosportif is sometimes also used but cyclosportive is correct as randonnée is a feminine noun
Grammatical gender
Grammatical gender is defined linguistically as a system of classes of nouns which trigger specific types of inflections in associated words, such as adjectives, verbs and others. For a system of noun classes to be a gender system, every noun must belong to one of the classes and there should be...
in French). The Italian term gran fondo is commonly used for these events in the United States.
Participants, many cyclists use sportives to challenge themselves in a personal battle against the distance and then ultimately, the clock. Also like the marathon, the top placed riders in a cyclosportive ride the event like a race and there are prizes awarded and considerable prestige for top place finishers in events like La Marmotte
La Marmotte
La Marmotte is an annual, one-day cyclosportive event in France for amateur cyclists. It is thought to be the first ever cyclosportive and also remains one of the most popular today in Europe, often considered to be the hardest too....
, L'Étape du Tour
L'Étape du Tour
L'Étape du Tour is an organised mass participation cyclosportive event that allows amateur cyclists to race over the same route as a Tour de France stage...
and the Ardechoise.
A cyclosportive falls between a traditional cycle road race
Road bicycle racing
Road bicycle racing is a bicycle racing sport held on roads, using racing bicycles. The term "road racing" is usually applied to events where competing riders start simultaneously with the winner being the first to the line at the end of the course .Historically, the most...
and the more challenging non-competitive randonnée
Randonneuring
Randonneuring is a long-distance cycling sport with its origins in audax cycling. In randonneuring, riders attempt courses of 200 km or more, passing through predetermined "controls" every few tens of kilometers...
or Audax
Audax (cycling)
Audax is a cycling sport in which participants attempt to cycle long distances within a pre-defined time limit. Audax is a non-competitive sport: success in an event is measured by its completion. Audax has its origins in Italian endurance sports of the late nineteenth century, and the rules were...
events. Riders normally carry a number and the time they take to complete the course is recorded. There is usually an upper time limit within which the course must be completed (unlike many randonnée events, there is no lower limit preventing riders from completing the course quickly). The already lengthy course will traditionally include climbs and difficult riding conditions, adding to the merit of the event (e.g. the cobblestones of the Paris–Roubaix).
The routes will usually be well sign-posted and/or marshalled (some cyclosportives take place on roads which have been closed to motor traffic for the duration of the event), riders will be able to use feeding stations positioned at intervals along the route to replenish their food and drink supplies and mechanical and medical support may also be provided. Some attract thousands of participants - since 2000 l'Etape du Tour
L'Étape du Tour
L'Étape du Tour is an organised mass participation cyclosportive event that allows amateur cyclists to race over the same route as a Tour de France stage...
has offered places to 8,500 riders each year.
Sportive event timings
Although sportives are not races, entrants’ times are recorded and riders are given their finishing position. This can encourage the fastest cyclists to push the pace, with faster riders working together to increase speed in a pro-pelotonPeloton
The peloton , field, bunch or pack is the large main group of riders in a road bicycle race. Riders in a group save energy by riding close near other riders...
style. The majority of riders will simply be happy to complete the distance within the time allowance. It is common in France and Italy for prizes to be awarded to the winner and to those winning age-related categories. In the United Kingdom, sportives are not held as races in order to avoid strict rules governing cycle races on the Highway as per the Cycle Races on the Highways Regulations 1960.
Established sportive events
The first ever French cyclosportive was La MarmotteLa Marmotte
La Marmotte is an annual, one-day cyclosportive event in France for amateur cyclists. It is thought to be the first ever cyclosportive and also remains one of the most popular today in Europe, often considered to be the hardest too....
, which was first run in 1982 on a route starting in Bourg d'Oisans and taking in the Col de la Croix de Fer
Col de la Croix de Fer
Col de la Croix de Fer is a high mountain pass in the French Alps linking Le Bourg-d'Oisans and Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne.-Details of climb:...
, Col du Telegraphe
Col du Télégraphe
Col du Télégraphe is a mountain pass in the French Alps situated above the Maurienne valley between the eastern end of the massif d'Arvan-Villards and the massif des Cerces....
, Col du Galibier
Col du Galibier
Col du Galibier is a mountain pass in the southern region of the French Dauphiné Alps near Grenoble. It is the ninth highest paved road in the Alps and the sixth highest mountain pass. It is often the highest point of the Tour de France....
and Col du Lautaret
Col du Lautaret
Col du Lautaret is a high mountain pass in the department of Hautes-Alpes in France.It marks the boundary between the valleys of the Romanche and the Guisane, a tributary of the Durance which has its source at the col. The valleys are linked by national route 91...
before climbing to finish at the top of one the most famous Tour de France climbs at Alpe d'Huez
Alpe d'Huez
L'Alpe d'Huez is a ski resort at . It is a mountain pasture in the Central French Alps, in the commune of Huez, in the Isère département in the Rhône-Alpes region.-Tour de France:L'Alpe d'Huez is one of the main mountains in the Tour de France...
. It remains one of the most popular cyclosportive events today in Europe and is often considered to be the hardest cyclosportive.
Arguably the most famous of the cyclosportives today is the French l'Etape du Tour
L'Étape du Tour
L'Étape du Tour is an organised mass participation cyclosportive event that allows amateur cyclists to race over the same route as a Tour de France stage...
, held each July over a stage of that particular year’s Tour de France, usually a mountain stage. This over-subscribed event sees approximately 7,500 riders attempting to emulate the professional cyclists. The Ardéchoise is one of Europe's largest event with 15,000 riders taking part but this time participants are able to choose from a range of circuits, from 66 km to 268 km. The Ronde van Vlaanderen had 18,000 participants in its 2007 edition and 17,000 in 2008. Riders can also choose from different circuits including mountainbike courses, from 28 km to 256 km. These events often enjoy roads closed to traffic for the duration of the event, allowing riders to enjoy the full width of the road and to profit from the often technical sections of the route.
Another coveted French event mimics the legendary one-day classic Paris–Roubaix. Held bi-annually, this 260 km (161.6 mi) sportive increases the test of reliability and endurance yet further with 26 sections of pavé which total some 42 km (26miles). It is not uncommon for riders to break bikes and even bones over these cobbled roads.
Other notable events are the Cape Argus Cycle Tour
Cape Argus Cycle Race
The Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour is an annual cycle race hosted in Cape Town, South Africa, usually 109 km long. It is the first event outside Europe to be included in the International Cycling Union's Golden Bike Series.The race is one of South Africa's three 'largest sporting events' in...
in South Africa which celebrated its 30th year in 2007 with 40,000 entrants. Italy’s Gran Fondo Pinarello, Maratona dles Dolomites and Spain's Quebrantahuesos are well known among the scores of torturous but popular European events. The largest open road cyclosportive in the UK is the Verenti Dragon Ride Wales
Dragon Ride Wales
Dragon Ride Wales is a cyclosportive event based in South Wales, UK.The event is a non competitive cycling marathon run over the hills of South Wales and the Brecon Beacons National Park. The ride takes in the challenging climbs of the Bwlch and Rhigos mountain roads which are long with relatively...
, held each June over a challenging 200 km mountainous course in South Wales. There are two UK cyclosportives to be held on closed roads, the annual Etape Caledonia which attracted some 3,500 cyclists in its 2009 edition and follows a route around the Perthshire highlands and the newly announced 'Etape Cymru' which is due to be held in October 2011 and follows the roads around North Wales including the Clywdians and the Horseshoe Pass.
List of cyclosportives
- FranceFranceThe French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
- L'Ardéchoise, attracts around 15,000 riders, offers choice of routes - website
- Challenge du Dauphiné
- l'Etape du TourL'Étape du TourL'Étape du Tour is an organised mass participation cyclosportive event that allows amateur cyclists to race over the same route as a Tour de France stage...
- website - La MarmotteLa MarmotteLa Marmotte is an annual, one-day cyclosportive event in France for amateur cyclists. It is thought to be the first ever cyclosportive and also remains one of the most popular today in Europe, often considered to be the hardest too....
, first organised in 1981 and finishes at Alpe d'HuezAlpe d'HuezL'Alpe d'Huez is a ski resort at . It is a mountain pasture in the Central French Alps, in the commune of Huez, in the Isère département in the Rhône-Alpes region.-Tour de France:L'Alpe d'Huez is one of the main mountains in the Tour de France...
. - Le Vercors-Drome
- Time-Megeve-Mont-BlancTime-Megeve-Mont-BlancThe Time-Megeve-Mont-Blanc is a cyclosportive that takes place early June in the northern part of the French Alps, 45 km from Geneva. This cycling event attracts 2,000 riders on a 140-km route that starts from the valley town of Sallanches and includes three passes: Col de la Colombiere, Col...
- website - L'Ariégeoise - website
- ItalyItalyItaly , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
-
- Maratona dles DolomitesMaratona dles DolomitesThe Maratona dles Dolomites , is an annual single-day road bicycle race covering seven spectacular mountain passes in the Dolomites. Open to amateurs cyclists, the Maratona—with 9,000 riders from over 40 nations—is one of the biggest Italian Granfondo bicycle races...
- Gran Fondo Campagnolo
- Gran Fondo Felice Gimondi - website
- Gran Fondo Pinarello
- Gran Fondo Marco Pantani - website
- Gran Fondo Nove Colli - website
- Gran Fondo Giro d'Italia-Dolomiti Stars (Challenge Gazzetta 110)- website
- Maratona dles Dolomites
- IrelandIrelandIreland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
- Lap The Lough - website
- SpainSpainSpain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
- BelgiumBelgiumBelgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
- Ronde van Vlaanderen - website
- Vélomédiane C.Criquiélion - http://www.velomediane.be
- UKUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
- Wiggle Cheshire Cat - website
- Wiggle Cornwall Tor - website
- Wiggle Flatout in the Fens - website
- Wiggle Tour of the Peak - website
- The Wiggle Rut (Rutland) - website
- Wiggle Wild Edric (Shropshire and the Marches) - website
- The Verenti Dragon RideDragon Ride WalesDragon Ride Wales is a cyclosportive event based in South Wales, UK.The event is a non competitive cycling marathon run over the hills of South Wales and the Brecon Beacons National Park. The ride takes in the challenging climbs of the Bwlch and Rhigos mountain roads which are long with relatively...
- website - Colomba Chemo Classic Charity Ride - website
- Etape du DalesEtape du DalesThe Etape du Dales is a cyclosportive held in May each year, in the Yorkshire Dales in the UK. It was originally established as an alternative to the oversubscribed Fred Whitton Challenge; like the Fred Whitton, the Etape du Dales is a long day's ride over steep hills, and the proceeds go to...
- Fred Whitton ChallengeFred Whitton ChallengeThe Fred Whitton Challenge is a charity cyclosportive event held annually in the English Lake District, in aid of the MacMillan Nurses and the Dave Rayner Fund. It is held in memory of Fred Whitton, racing secretary of the Lakes Road Club, who died of cancer at the age of 50 in 1998...
- website - Dave Lloyd Mega ChallengeDave Lloyd Mega ChallengeThe Dave Lloyd Mega Challenge is a cyclosportive challenge based in North East Wales. Held for the first time in June 2008. The Independent Association of Cyclosportive Organisers placed it in the top three of UK sportives....
- Etape Caledonia - website
- Etape Cymru - website
- Gran Fondo Cymru
- Highclere Castle Cyclosportive - website
- Tour of Wessex - website
- The Forest of Dean Spring Classic - website
- ArcherGP Sportive - website
- Ride the Route - website
- The Northern Rock Cyclone Challenge - website
- Southern Sportive - website
- The Autumn Epic - website
- Cheddar Cyclo Sportive - website
- The Legbreaker Challenge - website
- The Tour of Tweeddale - website
- Cotswold Spring Classic
- SRS Events Cyclosportive Series - Based in Burgess Hill, SRS Events run a series of cyclosportives throughout the year. website
- The Burgess Hill Springtime Classic in March
- The Tour de Weald in May
- The 1066 Ride in July
- The Burgess Hill Rumble Cyclosportive
- Sportive Kinross - website
- The Shropshire Hills 100 - website
- The Tour of Pembrokeshire - website
- Worthing 125 - website
- Dartmoor Classic - website
- CanadaCanadaCanada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
- United StatesUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
- Hotter 'n Hell 100
- Gran Fondo New York
- Levi Leipheimer's King Ridge GranFondo
- California Centuries and Double Centuries
- Triple Bypass
- Assault on Mt. Mitchell - http://www.freewheelers.info/aomm
- Six Gap - http://cyclenorthgeorgia.com
- Centurion New York - website
- Centurion Wisconsin - website
- New ZealandNew ZealandNew Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
- K2 - Coromandel Peninsula - http://www.arcevents.co.nz/k2cycle
- Lake Taupo Cycle ChallengeLake Taupo Cycle ChallengeThe Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge is New Zealand's largest mass participation cycling event. First held in 1977, it circumnavigates Lake Taupo, a volcanic crater lake in the centre of the North Island. The ride starts and finishes in Taupo with one full circuit being approximately 160 km. Over...
- website
- AustraliaAustraliaAustralia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
- Around the Bay in a DayAround the Bay in a DayAround the Bay in a Day is a recreational cycling event organised by Bicycle Victoria in Victoria, Australia. Cyclists register to ride a 210 km course starting and ending in Melbourne around Port Phillip, either clockwise or anti-clockwise, catching the ferry between Queenscliff and...
- Audax Alpine ClassicAudax Alpine ClassicThe Audax Alpine Classic is an Australian bicycle event run every Australia Day weekend in Bright, Victoria and is organised by Audax Australia volunteers. Arguably the most difficult single day cycle event in Australia with the 200 km version covering four steep climbs...
- Around the Bay in a Day
- South AfricaSouth AfricaThe Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
- Pick 'n Pay Cape Argus Cycle TourCape Argus Cycle RaceThe Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour is an annual cycle race hosted in Cape Town, South Africa, usually 109 km long. It is the first event outside Europe to be included in the International Cycling Union's Golden Bike Series.The race is one of South Africa's three 'largest sporting events' in...
- 94.7 Cycle Challenge94.7 Cycle ChallengeThe Momentum 94.7 cycle challenge is the world's second-largest timed cycle race, after the Cape Argus Cycle Race. It is held annually on cycle challenge Sunday, the third Sunday of November in the city of Johannesburg. Between 20,000 and 30,000 participants complete the challenging 94.7-km course...
- AmaShovaShova
- Herald Cycle TourHerald Cycle TourThe Herald Cycle Tour is an annual cycle race held in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. It features both 105 km and 46 km road race events.- History :The Herald was started in 1986 by Rob Rudman, Peter Dickason and Tony Lutz...
- Pick n Pay Fast OnePick'n Pay Fast OneThe Pick'n Pay Fast One, also called Hyper to Hyper is a single day men's road cycling race held in South Africa.-Men:-References:* *...
- Tour D'urban
- Pick 'n Pay Cape Argus Cycle Tour
External links
- KILO TO GO - Britain's largest cyclosportive event organiser http://www.kilotogo.com
- Cyclosport.org - The Most Comprehensive List of Cyclosportives on the Internet over 900 events worldwide and up-to-date
- Cyclosportive calendar Over 600 events worldwide up-to-date
- Le Comari - List of Italian "gran fondo" events for road bike and mtb - website
- Cyclosport.org - The Home of UK and International Cyclosportives (over 900 events) website
- YouTube Cyclosportive Community - website
- The Sportive Survival Guide (Vimeo Channel) - 5 Episodes
- Dutch cyclo site, specialized in La Marmotte