king-uhv-thuh-maunt-in-K-O-M
noun
A cyclist who is the fastest up a hill or mountain
Example usage: 'The King-of-the-Mountain-KOM title was taken by the fastest rider up the hill.'
Most used in: Mountainous regions of the world.
Most used by: Cyclists who participate in mountain biking and road cycling events.
Popularity: 8/10
Comedy Value: 5/10
Also see: KOM, QOM, HC, Strava Segment Leader,
What is a King of the Mountain (KOM) in Cycling?
The King of the Mountain (KOM) is a cycling term that is used to describe a cyclist who is the first to reach the top of a climb or hill. It is a title that is awarded to the cyclist who crosses the summit of the climb with the fastest time. This is a very important title in cycling as it is a measure of strength, endurance and speed.
The KOM is often seen as the most prestigious title to win in cycling. It is an honor to be crowned the King of the Mountain, and it is a title that is highly sought after by cyclists. The KOM title is also used in many cycling competitions, such as the Tour de France. In the Tour de France, the winner of the KOM title is awarded points, which can be used to help them win the overall race.
Statistics show that in the 2019 Tour de France, the KOM title was awarded to the cyclist who crossed the summit of the climb in the fastest time on 8 different occasions. The cyclist with the most KOM titles was Julian Alaphilippe, who won 5 KOM titles in total. This highlights the importance of the KOM title in cycling and the level of competition that is involved in achieving it.
In conclusion, the King of the Mountain (KOM) is a cycling term that is used to describe a cyclist who is the first to reach the summit of a climb or hill. It is a highly sought after title in cycling and is often seen as the most prestigious title to win. Statistics show that in the 2019 Tour de France, the KOM title was awarded 8 times, with the cyclist who won the most titles being Julian Alaphilippe with 5 KOM titles in total.
.The Origin of the Term 'King of the Mountain' (KOM) in Cycling
The term 'King of the Mountain' (KOM) was first used in cycling in the Tour de France, which began in 1903. The first KOM was the Col du Galibier, which was included in the Tour de France in 1911. The title was awarded to the first cyclist to reach the top of the mountain.
The term KOM was popularized in the 1920s by Henri Desgrange, the founder of the Tour de France. Desgrange wanted to reward the boldest riders who tackled the steep climbs and rewarded them with the title of 'King of the Mountain'.
Today, KOMs are awarded to the first cyclist to reach the top of a mountain or hill in a race. The KOM is still a highly sought-after title in cycling, with cyclists competing to be the first to the top and gain the title of 'King of the Mountain'.