Cyclisme

Cyclisme is the sport and activity of riding bicycles, including competitive racing and recreational cycling. The term covers a family of disciplines that take place on road, track, off-road, and urban environments, each with its own rules, equipment, and competition formats.

Modern competitive cyclisme emerged in the 19th century with the invention of the safety bicycle and the first organized races. The sport's governing body, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), was founded in 1900 and oversees international competition, rules, and anti-doping efforts. One of the sport's most famous events, the Tour de France, began in 1903 and remains a benchmark for stage racing.

Major disciplines include road racing, track racing, cyclo-cross, mountain biking, and BMX. Road racing involves mass-start races on paved roads; track cycling takes place in velodromes with sprint and endurance events; cyclo-cross combines riding on varied terrain with obstacles; mountain biking covers cross-country and downhill formats; BMX emphasizes short, fast laps. Equipment is specialized for each discipline, but all rely on bicycles designed for strength, lightness, and safety, and riders typically wear helmets and discipline-appropriate gear.

Global competition includes World Championships and World Cup series organized under the UCI, as well as national and continental events. The sport is showcased at the Olympic Games, with events across road, track, mountain biking, and BMX. Participation ranges from recreational clubs to professional teams, with ongoing emphasis on rider safety, fair competition, and development programs to widen access to sport.