Taking the ‘picture is worth 1000 words’ philosophy a little too literally, perhaps, we have searched far and wide, and across all habitable continents, for the most beautiful shots of professional cyclists in action.
One of the key attractions to watching the Tour de France is the unique glimpses it offers the viewer into the landscape and architecture of France. The same goes for the equally striking vistas of the Vuelta a Espana, the Giro d’Italia, and smaller events like the Tour of Utah – or our own Tour Down Under.
From the Roman ruins of the Spanish landscape to the harrowing cobbles of the famous Paris-Roubaix race, cycling leaves iconic images imprinted on your mind.
Here we relive our favourite scenes from cycling’s past, and remember the stunning places the sport takes its participants and spectators.
McLaren Vale
(AAP Image/Dan Peled)
With the Herald Sun Tour, the Cadel Evans Road Race, and the Tour Down Under, Australia is slowly but surely making its mark on the cycling world. And with scenery like Aldinga Beach to ride past, is it any wonder?
Mt Ventoux
(will_cyclist / Flickr)
The ‘Giant of Provence’ is one of cycling’s most fearsome climbs, its terrifying reputation underlined by British cyclist Tom Simpson, who died attempting to summit in 1967.
The moors of Yorkshire
(SWPix.com / Tour de Yorkshire)
Seriously, this beautiful field of flowers is in the heart of cold, wet northern England.
(SWPix.com / Tour de Yorkshire)
That’s more like it – the moors in the background, a cobbled road, stone buildings, and no hint of sunshine. Welcome to Yorkshire!
The cobbles of northern France
(Gottik666 / Wikimedia Commons)
Arguably the most famous of cycling’s one-day Classics, Paris-Roubaix earned its nickname – ‘The Hell of the North’ – due to the severe damage to the countryside is passes through during World War II. But as anyone who’s spent a day rattling over these cobbles on two wheels will attest, the nickname still applies.
The lakes of Utah
(Jonathan Devich / Tour of Utah)
You might know it as home of the Mormon Church, but Utah is also the primary battleground of America’s toughest stage race – the Tour of Utah.
Stelvio Pass
(Amcs1983 / Wikimedia Commons)
Located in the alps of northern Italy, the Stelvio Pass and its 48 hairpin bends have become a staple of not only the Giro d’Italia, but the Tour de France as well.
The white roads of Tuscanny
(teledelacourse / Flickr)
The Strade Bianche is the newest Classic, and with the gorgeous, white gravel roads of Tuscany providing a large chunk of the race route, it’s become a fast favourite.
The deserts of the Middle East
(Team Sky)
Taking cycling to the Middle East has been described by some as a cynical cash grab, but there’s no arguing that those sanddunes make for some amazing background imagery.
Les Moulins of Switzerland
(AP Photo/Keystone, Jean-Christophe Bott)
Try feeling neutral watching the peloton ride through scenery like this.
The flats of the Netherlands
(Team Sky)
A land of tulips, bicycles and windmills. Well, two outta three ain’t bad.
Champs-Elysees
(AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
The most famous image in the world of cycling is surely the peloton going hammer and tongs down Paris’ iconic main street.
Of course, an Aussie wearing the yellow jersey for the ride makes the site all the sweeter!
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