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Best Cycling Tours in Europe: Giro d’Italia from 9 May – 1 June

Our Guide to the European Cycling Road Race Calendar

Europe is the beating heart of professional road cycling, hosting some of the world’s most thrilling, grueling and historic races.

The continent’s road race calendar spans over a dozen countries, weaving through breathtaking landscapes, from the towering peaks of the Alps to the rolling fields of Flanders.

Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just discovering the sport, there’s something magical about watching riders battle it out across Europe’s most iconic road – the scenery’s not bad either!

While the Big Three—the Giro d’Italia, Tour de France and La Vuelta a España—steal the limelight, the European race calendar is packed with incredible events that test the world’s best cyclists to their limits.

Let’s dive into the key races and legendary riders coming your way this year.

Celebrating Europe’s Biggest Road Races

Every year crowds gather around the roads (and televisions) of Italy, France and Spain to watch European cycling’s trio of toughest races.

Giro d’Italia (Italy – May)

A celebration of passion, history and sheer endurance, the Giro d’Italia is often considered the most beautiful of the Grand Tours.

This three-week tussle takes riders across Italy’s picturesque yet punishing terrain, from the Dolomites to the sun-soaked Mediterranean coast.

The Giro is infamous for its steep climbs, unpredictable weather, and explosive racing. With past winners like Vincenzo Nibali, Marco Pantani, and Alberto Contador, the race has created legends and heartbreaks alike.

Race Highlights:

Key Climbs: Passo dello Stelvio, Mortirolo, Zoncolan
Pink Jersey: The leader wears the Maglia Rosa
Famous Moments: Chris Froome’s unforgettable solo attack in 2018

Tour de France (France – July)

The Tour de France is cycling’s most prestigious and widely watched event. Spanning three weeks and over 3,000 kilometers, it’s a brutal test of endurance, tactics and climbing class.

Riders must conquer legendary mountains like Alpe d’Huez and Mont Ventoux, with the final stage concluding in spectacular fashion on Paris’s Champs-Élysées.

The Yellow Jersey, or Maillot Jaune, is the most coveted prize in cycling. Legends like Eddy Merckx, Miguel Indurain, Tadej Pogačar, Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome have all inscribed their names in Tour history.

Race Highlights

Key Climbs: Alpe d’Huez, Mont Ventoux, Col du Tourmalet
Yellow Jersey: Awarded to the overall leader
Famous Moments: Greg LeMond’s eight-second victory over Laurent Fignon in 1989

La Vuelta a España (Spain – August-September)

Race season moves on to sunny Spain in late summer. La Vuelta a España has developed a reputation for its unpredictable racing, brutal climbs and late-season drama.

The red jersey (La Roja) awaits the most consistent rider over three weeks of punishing heat and relentless ascents, including the infamous Angliru and Lagos de Covadonga.

Race Highlights

Key Climbs: Angliru, Lagos de Covadonga, Sierra Nevada
Red Jersey: General classification leader wears La Roja
Famous Moments: Primož Roglič’s Vuelta dominance in recent years

Other Sporty Fun in Andalucia

You may not know it, but sun-soaked Andalucia is a sporting Mecca come the summertime. This stunning part of the world doesn’t just play host to the great and the good of the cycling world, it also hosts events like:

Don’t worry if you can’t make it out for them all though, as we’re covering them over on the dedicated TA-DAH.TV Sports Channel.

Beyond the Grand Tours: Europe’s Iconic Races

The three Grand Tours make up the Marquis events in the summer of cycling. But there are more contests on the calendar that you should probably be aware of. So, let’s mark your card for the rest of the season.

Spring Classics: The One-Day Beasts

The Spring Classics are cycling’s ultimate one-day tests of power and resilience. These races demand brute strength, skill, and a touch of madness.

Paris-Roubaix (France): Known as the “Hell of the North,” this race features punishing cobbled sectors that shake bikes and bones alike.
Tour of Flanders (Belgium): Short, sharp climbs and legendary cobblestones make this a national obsession in Belgium.
Liège-Bastogne-Liège (Belgium): One of the oldest classics, featuring relentless climbs and unpredictable weather.
Milan-San Remo (Italy): The longest one-day race at nearly 300km, ending with a thrilling sprint along the Ligurian coast.

Other Key Stage Races

Critérium du Dauphiné (France) – A crucial warm-up for the Tour de France.
Tour de Suisse (Switzerland) – A mountainous spectacle and key preparation race.
Volta a Catalunya (Spain) – One of the oldest races, testing riders in the Pyrenees.
Tour of the Basque Country (Spain) – Steep climbs and passionate fans make this a thrilling week of racing.

Europe’s Cycling Stars: The Riders to Watch

Modern cycling is brimming with talent, with European riders dominating the peloton. Here are just a few names to keep an eye on:

Peter Sagan (Germany) – A three-time world champion and one of the best sprinters and classics specialists of his era.
Chris Froome (Great Britain) – Four-time Tour de France winner and one of the best Grand Tour riders of his generation.
Geraint Thomas (Great Britain) – Heading into his final year, the 2018 Tour de France champion will be hoping to bow out with the biggest of bangs
Vincenzo Nibali (Italy) – One of the few riders to have won all three Grand Tours.
Egan Bernal (Colombia) – A Giro and Tour winner fighting back from injury.
Fabio Aru (Italy) – 2015 Vuelta a España winner with strong climbing ability.
Michal Kwiatkowski (Poland) – A versatile rider with a world championship title.
Julian Alaphilippe (France) – A punchy, aggressive rider with back-to-back world championships.
Alejandro Valverde (Spain) – A cycling legend with countless victories across multiple disciplines.
Richard Carapaz (Ecuador) – Giro d’Italia winner and strong climber.
Thibaut Pinot (France) – A fan-favorite climber known for aggressive racing.
Primož Roglič (Slovenia) – Vuelta a España specialist and all-around powerhouse.
Tadej Pogačar (Slovenia) – A two-time Tour de France champion with an aggressive racing style.
Tom Dumoulin (Netherlands) – A time-trial specialist and former Giro winner.
Fernando Gaviria (Colombia) – One of the best sprinters in the world.
Greg Van Avermaet (Netherlands) – Olympic champion and classics specialist.

Women’s Cycling on the Rise

Women’s cycling is experiencing a well-deserved surge in popularity, with races like the Tour de France Femmes, Giro Donne, and Paris-Roubaix Femmes gaining recognition.

The UCI is pushing for gender equality, with initiatives to promote and support female cyclists.

Watch out for stars like Annemiek van Vleuten, Marianne Vos, and Elisa Longo Borghini, who are dominating the sport and inspiring the next generation.

UCI Road World Championships Dates for Your Diary

Here’s a complete look at the dates for your diary in this year’s summer of cycling in Europe:

March

1 March: Omloop Nieuwsblad (Belgium)
8 March: Strade Bianche (Italy)
9-16 March: Paris-Nice (France)
22 March: Milano-Sanremo (Italy)

April

6 April: Ronde van Vlaanderen (Belgium)
13 April: Paris-Roubaix (France)
20 April: Amstel Gold Race (Netherlands)

May

10 May – 1 June: Giro d’Italia (Italy)

June

8-15 June: Critérium du Dauphiné (France)
15-22 June: Tour de Suisse (Switzerland)

July

5-27 July: Tour de France (France)

August

23 August – 14 September: La Vuelta a España (Spain)

Tune In To Our Sports Channel For More European Events

Of course, the European road race calendar is just one of the enticing sporting attractions in the buffet of contests on the continent – and we’ll be across them all!

From the Six Nations rugby tournament to the Wingfoil Freestyle Championship, Europe is always studded with sporty events.

Find news from them all over on our dedicated Sports Channel!

Best Cycling Tours in Europe: Giro d’Italia from 9 May – 1 June

Our Guide to the European Cycling Road Race Calendar