General Classification

General Classification is one of the more common markets for cycling.

This is placing a bet on any cyclist in the field to cross the finishing line of a selected stage, in first place.

King Of the Mountain

The rider who earns the most points in the climbing or mountain aspect of a particular race also earns the title of King of the Mountains. To be successful with this market, research which riders have proven track records in performing well in the climbing category.

The Green Jersey

The Green Jersey market focuses on the Sprint events in races. Awarded at the end of each Stage, you can place many Green Jersey bets throughout a Tour. 

Best Young Rider

Riders aged 26 or under can challenge for the title of Best Young Rider. The white jersey is awarded to the rider with the best overall record during a particular race or Tour.

Single Day

Pro single day race distances can be very long. These can reach as far as 180 miles and be made up of several laps or a straight A to B. Races that take place over small circuits in cities are called criteriums. There are sometimes handicapped races where different ages and abilities are balanced out with differing start times.

Individual Time Trials

These races aren’t against other competitors per se but against the clock instead. They can be solo or small team events. Traditionally, time trials take place on public roads, and the racers wear streamlined clothing to give themselves an edge. Events can range from 10 miles to 100 miles.

Stage Races

These are made up of multiple races/stages that are ridden consecutively. Whoever has the lowest overall time for completing each stage at the end of the event is the general classification winner.
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Stage races often have other awards such as individual stage winners, mountain classification winner, and sprint point classification. These races can take place over several days.

Sprint

Often this race features pairs of racers who begin the race at the same time. The winner is the first person to cross a line at a set distance from three attempts. Sprints often begin from a rolling start, and riders are very tactical with regards to when they choose to sprint and how they use the draft.

Pursuit

This is a type of time trial where riders usually compete in pairs. Riders start at different points on the track, with the winner often knocking the other racer out from the competition.

Time Trial

Time trials are a race to complete a set distance (often one km) in the fastest time possible. These can be solo or group races and usually start with a standing start.

Points Race

Laps are nominated as sprints laps and indicated as so by a bell or a whistle. Points are given for performance on these laps. The first four to finish one of these laps are awarded 5, 3, 2, and 1 points as they finish. Any rider who laps the field gets an additional 20 points, whilst riders who are lapped, lose 20 points.
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Scratch Race

This race begins with all races level with places given depending on the order of the finish. Gaining a lap on the rest of the group until the finish line puts you ahead of the other racers with fewer laps done. These races often take place over 15 km.

Madison

First hosted in Madison Square Garden in the US, this race is 50 to 60 km and features two riders per team. Every 20 laps, there is a sprint for points. The team with the most points is the winner.

Keirin

This is a mass-start event with between six and nine riders taking place. Lots are drawn to decide on the starting position. There is a pacer on a motorbike that cyclists must remain behind until they leave at around 600 to 700 meters before the end of the race. The race takes place over around 50 km.

Omnium

This track event is made up of six different races. These include a time trial, a points race, a scratch race, an elimination race, an individual pursuit, and a flying lap race. The racers who finish each race receive points based on their position, with the overall total lowest points being crowned the winner.

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