As a literary critic, I often draw comparisons between road cycling races and fictional storytelling, as both weave narratives filled with conflict, emotion, and dynamic characters. Each race unravels like a gripping story, marked by escalating tension, surprising developments, and dramatic finales.
That’s why I like to seeroad cycling races like character-driven dramas, or even thrillers.
Just think about it! Every moment in a one-day race matters. Unlike stage races where riders have multiple days to recover or strategize, the stakes in a one-day race are all-or-nothing. Riders must make split-second decisions, knowing that a single mistake can cost them the victory. This intensity mirrors the edge-of-your-seat suspense found in thrillers.
Also,just like a good thriller, one-day races are full of surprises. Sudden attacks, weather changes, mechanical failures, or crashes can completely alter the race’s outcome. Fans are kept guessing until the very last moment, as anything can happen—even in the final meters.
One-day races often culminate in dramatic, heart-pounding finishes—whether it’s a fierce sprint, a lone rider crossing the line after a daring attack, or a photo finish. This mirrors the climax of a thriller, where all the tension builds toward a satisfying, often unexpected conclusion.
If you would like to explore more about this topic, and the way how I’m thinking about road cycling races in general, please subscribe to my Patreon
For great stories from the past of road cycling races -not only the Monuments – please, visit Vintage Road Cycling Stories
2025 is an important year for me as a blogger focusing on the present and the past of road cycling races. I wrote an intro post about this special project on the central PelotonTales site (the hub of all these small projects around the most important races of the season 20025)