The UCI World Tour calendar is fully underway, with the fan-favorite Strade Bianche already taking place on March 2. There are over 30 main tour events across the year, some spanning just a single day and others spanning nearly a month. The 2024 calendar is extra special, thanks to the Olympic Road Races taking place in August. Let’s look at five of the best events on the calendar and see what we can expect from each.
Paris-Roubaix | April 6–7
Nicknamed the “Hell of the North” and the “Queen of the Classics,” Paris-Roubaix is maybe the best single-day race on the calendar and one of the best upcoming sporting events in the world. Taking place on 55 kilometers of some of France’s harshest cobbled roads, the race is always dramatic and especially brutal for riders.
Last year, Mathieu van der Poel won the day, setting a record of 26.841 km/h, a whole 1 km/h improvement from the previous record. The race is perfect for the Dutchman’s style, and he figures to be right in the running again this year.
While casual fans know the Tour de France, most pure fans claim Paris-Roubaix is the best race on the calendar. The rough cobbled terrain and the excitement of a one-day sprint make it a thrilling competition. Paris-Roubaix also brings the best cyclists to the front, as the strongest almost always win. What more could a fan ask for?
Giro d’Italia | May 4–26
Known by many as the most grueling race on the calendar, the Giro d’Italia is another race that is in the shadows of the Tour de France but has a claim to be the better overall event. Most riders generally agree that it is a more difficult race than the Tour de France.
This year’s race starts in the Piedmont region and is set to stay in Italy for most of its 21 stages. Known for its mountainous terrain, the 2024 event has five mountain stages, including a strip over the Stelvio Pass, the most brutal of this year’s climbs.
Tadej Pogacar is participating in this year’s Giro, marking the first time he has competed on the Italian grand tour. Thanks to his impressive individual-time trial record, he is an early favorite in the event. Giro features two such time trials in 2024. Primoz Roglic of Slovenia won last year’s event.
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash
Tour de France | June 29–July 21
Without question, the most well-known race on the calendar, the Tour de France is a sporting institution, and 2024’s event should be one of the most exciting in years. The route is filled with mountains, beginning in Florence and reaching the Alps by Stage 4. More notably, this year’s Tour will be the first to feature a gravel stage in Stage 9.
Taking place across three weeks, this year’s Tour de France is set to end in Nice, a change from the Tour’s historical ending in Paris. Due to the Olympics beginning on July 26, the end location had to be moved, making it an interesting change of pace compared to previous years.
Jonas Vingegaard enters the race as the two-time defending champion, looking to be the first three-peat champion since Chris Froome in 2017.
Olympic Road Races | August 3–4
A special edition to this year’s calendar, the Olympic Road Races are set to take place two weeks after the Tour de France. The final circuit will take riders through downtown Paris, replacing the traditional Paris finish with the Tour de France.
These races are unique to other tour events due to different rules, including smaller teams. This leads to fewer riders overall, allowing competitors to take a more aggressive approach.
The added motivation of Olympic gold should make this event one of the most exciting of the year for both the men’s and women’s participants. Many of the world’s best riders will participate, looking to take home a unique honor.
Photo by Angel Santos on Unsplash
Vuelta a Espana | August 17–September 8
Capping off an exciting season, the Vuelta a Espana is the final tour event of the season. Known for diverse and exciting gradients, this race doesn’t share the prestige of the Tour or Giro d’Italia but features gritty competition as cyclists fight for their 2025 contracts.
With contracts on the line, riders will be competing for more than just the win in this competition. Nothing stirs up drama and competition like real-world stakes.
This year, the race starts in Portugal and features eight mountain stages, emphasizing climbing. American Sepp Kuss is the defending champion and should be able to defend his crown this year.
Where Can I Watch?
Cyclist enthusiasts and cord-cutters worldwide are in luck this season, with every race on this list streaming on Max and Peacock. FloBikes also has streaming rights to several events for the most ardent cycling fans. Either way, fans can be excited for what is going to be a tremendous year of competition.
Top Photo by Viktor Bystrov on Unsplash
