The History of Professional Road Cycling and Its Current Organizational Structure

Abstract

Why did cycling become professional as early as the 19th century, while other sports (such as rugby) and other sport events (such as the Olympic Games) remained amateur until the 1980s? Why are the organizers of the most important bicycle races private companies, while in other sports such as soccer the main event organizer is a nonprofit organization? To what extent have bicycle races changed since the 19th century? The history of professional road cycling helps answer these and many related questions. Following the introduction, this chapter provides a historical account on the development of professional road cycling, from local races to global sport events, discusses a century of Grand Tours, which have long been epic races stirring up national passions, and details the current organizational structure of professional road cycling. The conclusion draws attention to the fact that cycling reflects long-term economic changes. The chapter is founded on both an analysis of quantitative time series on the Grand Tours and a review of the existing literature on the history of professional cycling.