stey-jeez
Noun, Verb
A segment of a bicycle race or route
Example usage: I am looking forward to the next stage of the race.
Most used in: Long-distance cycling events.
Most used by: Professional and recreational cyclists.
Popularity: 8/10
Comedy Value: 4/10
Also see: Time Trials, Grand Tours, Criteriums, Road Races,
What are Stages in Cycling?
Stages in cycling refer to the different sections of a race. Each stage is a leg of the race, with a start and a finish. Stages can range from a few miles to hundreds of miles in length, depending on the type of race. In a multi-stage race, such as the Tour de France, cyclists race through multiple stages over the course of several days.
In most stage races, the overall winner is the cyclist with the fastest cumulative time for all stages. The stages themselves may be timed separately, with the fastest cyclist in each stage winning a prize. Some stage races also award points to the top finishers in each stage, which are then tallied up to determine the overall winner.
Stage races are popular among professional cyclists, and the Tour de France is the most well-known. The annual event is contested over 21 stages, with a total distance of 2,082 miles. As of 2019, the event has been held for over 100 years and attracts thousands of spectators each year.
Stage races are also popular in amateur cycling. In the United States, the National Bicycle League (NBL) hosts a series of stage races throughout the year, with each race typically lasting two to four days. These races are open to amateur cyclists of all skill levels, and provide a great opportunity to test one's endurance and speed.
The Origin of the Term 'Stages' in Cycling
The term 'stages' in the context of cycling first appeared in France in 1903. It was used to describe the multiple legs of the first edition of the Tour de France, a multi-stage bicycle race held annually in France and neighbouring countries.
Competitors in the Tour de France race through different stages, or legs, of varying lengths and terrain, with the overall winner being the cyclist who completes all the stages in the shortest accumulated time. The first Tour de France was made up of six stages, with the longest stage being 394km. Since then, the race has grown to feature 21 stages, with the longest stage being a mountainous 230km.
The term 'stages' is now used commonly in many cycling races and events as a way to break down the race into smaller, manageable pieces. The term has since spread around the world and is now used in many countries to describe the multiple legs of a cycling race.
