Professional racing originated in Western Europe, centred in France, Spain, Italy and the Low Countries. Stage races or "tours" take multiple days, and consist of several mass-start or time-trial stages ridden consecutively. The two most common competition formats are mass start events, where riders start simultaneously (though sometimes with a handicap) and race to a set finish point and time trials, where individual riders or teams race a course alone against the clock.
Road racing is the most popular professional form of bicycle racing, in terms of numbers of competitors, events and spectators. Road bicycle racing is the cycle sport discipline of road cycling, held primarily on paved roads.
Yes, men's and women's since the 1984 Paralympics Yes, men's since the 1896 Olympics and women's since the 1984 Olympics A breakaway of riders during the 2021 Giro d'Italia