| Though the pros use shorter street cycling races as | | | | whoever crosses the finish line first. All single day |
| practice for the Triple Crown races (Tour de France, | | | | races are mass start except for time trials, which are |
| Giro d'Italia and the Road World Cycling | | | | solo races. The group races are criterium (short |
| Championship), there are many teams that compete | | | | courses), circuit races and road races. In recent years |
| in street races. Generally, cyclists do not race | | | | long races with large entrances have been moving |
| individually but as part of a larger, sponsored racing | | | | towards electronic time keeping similar to that used in |
| team. In the states, the US Postal Service team is | | | | marathons. |
| the most famous. | | | | The Tour de France and other multiple day races are |
| But before we get into the details of street racing, | | | | counted in stages. The competitor who wins the |
| let's talk about what street bicycles are. Unlike | | | | most stages is declared the overall winner even if he |
| mountain bikes and BMX stunt bikes, road bikes are | | | | (or she) does not cross the finish line first. |
| thin-framed with thin wheels and high pressure tires. | | | | Road racing is much more popular in Europe than it is |
| In competition, participants must ride road bikes. | | | | in the States, though champions like Lance Armstrong |
| Road bikes have drop handlebars and can be either | | | | have helped to bring attention to the sport in the |
| single, multiple or fixed gear. They are much lighter | | | | past decade. |
| than the other styles of bikes, which are made to | | | | Bike racing has been part of the Olympics since its |
| withstand a beating in the mud. | | | | modern rebirth. In addition to the distance and time |
| Now back to the races. Road races start with a gun | | | | trial road races, there are also BMX, track racing and |
| indicating the release from the pen, and the winner is | | | | mountain biking competitions. |