Road Cycling is one of four disciplines in the Olympic sport of Cycling.
2012 Summer Olympic Cycling – Road Events Key facts
Venue: Regent’s Park
Dates: Saturday 28 July – Sunday 12 August
Road Cycling: A short history
The bicycle was invented as a means of transport in the early 1800s. It did not take long for people to start racing on their bikes. The first official race – a two-kilometre (1.25 mile) event in Paris – was held in 1868.
Road Cycling at the Olympic Games
Road and Track Cycling have been part of the Olympic programme since the first modern Games in Athens in 1896. Women first competed in the Road Race at the Los Angeles 1984 Games.
How the competition runs
On the road there are two events: Road Racing and Time Trial.
The Road Race is 239km (150 miles) for men and 120km (75 miles) for women. The competitors all start together and the first past the line is the winner.
The Time Trial is against the clock over a shorter distance: riders start 90 seconds apart and whoever completes the course fastest wins.
Jargon buster
* Attack: A sudden acceleration to move ahead of another rider or group of riders.
* Break/breakaway: A rider or group of riders that has left the main group behind.
* Feeding station / zone: Terms for areas where riders in Mountain Bike or Road Races can pick up both food and liquid refreshments.
* Hook: To suddenly move one’s back wheel to the side, forcing the following rider to slow down to avoid running into it.
* Peloton: The main group of riders; also called the pack, bunch or field.
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