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International race calendar <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n So, you’re putting the hours in on the saddle \u2013 but your fancy your cycling hit when you hit the couch too? No problem\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n You\u2019re probably aware of some of the biggest races on the international cycling calendar \u2013 but there\u2019s a whole lot that might have snuck under your radar. With reams of races taking place across the globe, we\u2019ve put together a little reminder of what to look forward to throughout the upcoming season.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n All of these will be available on major sports channels, by the way \u2013 but best of luck trying to explain the beauty of the sport to your housemate while you\u2019re fighting for command of the remote!<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>January<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n It’s already been and gone, but the cycling season begins with the Tour Down Under. The tours then move to Middle East to week-long stage races in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Oman; mostly flat, these events \u2013 which run into February <\/strong>\u2013 are what most cycling fans (and a few riders too!) would say is a gentle introduction to a grueling season.<\/p>\n March<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The spring classics are where things really heat up. The first \u2013 and arguably most beautiful \u2013 of these is La Primavera or Milan San Remo in Italy. Following an amazing coastline route it\u2019s also the longest race of the year at nearly 300km long. It\u2019s a great race, and also quite the spectacle \u2013 but tough work for the best of \u2018em\u2026<\/p>\n The series moves to Belgium for the \u2018cobbled classics\u2019 such as Tour of Flanders and Paris Roubaix (known as the Hell of the North), where the surfaces are enough to shake your teeth loose!<\/p>\n April<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n April sees Belgium play host to some of the headline makers \u2013 Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge among them \u2013 but it\u2019s worth noting there\u2019s three levels simultaneously in action; the World Tour at the top, followed by the Pro Continental and Continental levels. The World Tour riders get automatic entry into the bigger races, while the other divisions apply for invites.<\/p>\n May<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>The beginning of the summer is when it really starts to get exciting for cyclists fans alike, as the renowned Giro d’Italia gets underway. The prestigious pink jersey is a big deal in itself, while the action at large also offers the best indication so far of what we can expect from the rest of the year\u2026<\/p>\n June<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The Dauphine and the Tour de Suisse are the traditional highlights of the month \u2013 but all fans know the deal here. These events are largely devoted to preparation for the biggest event of the year, coming up in July\u2026<\/p>\n July\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n La Grande Boucle<\/em> itself arrives \u2013 and not a moment too soon! The Tour De France begins in Belgium on July 6 (try not to get confused!) and lasts pretty much the entire month. It\u2019s the highlight of the year, so if you\u2019re going to try to rope in new fans, here\u2019s your best chance to do it!<\/p>\n