Cycling 101: The Monuments

Tour de France primer: the first Tour

Tour de France primer: What is a time trial?

Tour de France primer: Drafting

Tour de France primer: Cycling terms

Tour de France primer: What is a breakaway?

Tour de France primer: What is the polka-dot jersey?

Milano-Sanremo

De Ronde van Vlaanderen

Paris-Roubaix

Liège-Bastogne-Liège

Il Lombardia

In Italy, Milano-Sanremo is known as La Primavera. For over a century, the 300-km classic has been a rite of spring. The long, flat journey south reaches a first peak when the race crosses the Turchino Pass and drops down to the Riviera dei Fiori on the Ligurian sea. It then builds to a crescendo over a series of short, steep climbs along the coast, culminating in the furious ascents of the Cipressa and the Poggio. As attackers launch off the front of the peloton, sprinters try to hold and catch up on the white knuckle descents. Fortune favours the brave after seven hours of racing.

Milano Sanremo

Ronde van Vlaanderen

Learn all about cycling’s five most prestigious one-day races

Cycling 101