A huge year of cycling events is underway, with the standout competitions taking place over the summer months in France. All superstars that are in action on the cycling race standings at this stage will be looking to reach their peak level of performance for the Tour De France before the Olympic Games take center stage later in the year.
There are many interesting events on the cycling race in April calendar, and you can find out more about the competitions and our cycling race picks here.
Tour of the Basque Country
One of the standout cycling race in April comes in the form of the Tour of the Basque Country, which is also known as the Itzulia Basque Country 2024. This event got underway on Monday, April 1, and will run until Saturday, April 6. It is the 63rd edition of the revered race, with athletes competing over a total distance of 832.1 km.
This season, it forms the 15th race of the UCI World Tour, and a number of the world’s best riders will be in action in Spain. Primoz Roglic has been one of the most dominant riders in the race in recent editions, landing two victories in 2018 and 2021.
However, Jonas Vinegaard appears to be the rider to beat after landing victory in the 2023 edition. He could once again be among the prominent cycling picks after landing victory in the Tirreno-Adriatico last month.
Paris-Roubaix
One of the biggest cycling races in April on the calendar is the Paris-Roubaix. This event ranks among the sport’s oldest races and remains a classic on the European calendar. Top-performing riders will pick up considerable points in the UCI World Rankings, but athletes will need to work incredibly hard to gain points given the difficulty of the event.
Cobblestones and rough terrain pepper the course, solidifying this race’s reputation as one of the sport’s toughest. The race’s grueling nature earns it nicknames like “Sunday in Hell” and “Hell of the North. Flat tires are a constant threat in this race, adding to the pressure of finishing ahead of the competition.
Mathieu van der Poel will come into the event as the reigning champion after finishing clear of the field last year. Each of the last two winners of the race has come from the Netherlands. Tom Boonen is the most successful driver in the history of the event, having landed four victories between 2005 and 2012.
Amstel Gold Race
Another key race on the cycling calendar in April comes in the form of the Amstel Gold Race. This is a one-day classic road cycling event, and it has been staged annually since 1966. Riders will compete in the Dutch province of Limburg, with much more emphasis put on athletes who will be targeting classic success in the races throughout the spring.
It has been a top-level event, according to the UCI, since 1989, and it is the only one-day cycling road race to be staged in the Netherlands. Dutch success has been prominent in this Classic throughout history, with Jan Raas being the most successful rider in the race’s history with five previous victories.
Some of the biggest stars in the world of cycling will be in action in the Netherlands for this race. Tadej Pogacar will once again rank among the leading contenders to claim victory, as the Slovenian athlete chases a second straight victory for the UAE Team Emirates.
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