Cycling is a sport that has gained a significant space in the world of online betting. Events such as the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia and the Vuelta a España attract thousands of punters looking to take advantage of the multiple opportunities offered by bookmakers.
Although not as massive as football or tennis, cycling has a complex and varied structure that allows for different types of bets. In this article, we briefly explore the main bets offered in cycling on online platforms.
1. Race Winner Bet (Outright)
The most common bet in cycling is the race winner bet or outright bet. This type of bet is quite simple: the punter chooses which cyclist will win the race, whether it is a specific stage or the general classification of a major competition such as the Tour de France or the Giro d’Italia.
Bookmakers assign odds to each cyclist based on their probability of winning. Favorites will have lower odds, while cyclists with less chances will offer higher odds. However, since cycling is a sport with many unforeseen factors, from crashes to changes in the weather, betting on the winner can be difficult but very profitable if you get it right.
2. Podium Bets (Top 3, Top 5 or Top 10)
Podium bets or placement bets are a variation of the winner bet. Instead of betting that a rider will win the race, you can bet that he will finish in the top 3, top 5, or top 10 of a stage or the general classification.
This type of bet is less risky than betting on the winner, as it offers a higher probability of success. The odds are usually lower than in outright bets, but the chance of winning increases considerably, especially when betting on riders who are consistent in their performance.
3. Stage Winner Bet
Cycling competitions are usually divided into multiple stages, and each stage offers the possibility of placing a bet on the stage winner. In this type of bet, the goal is to predict which cyclist will win a specific stage of the race.
Since not all cyclists are specialized in all types of terrain (mountains, time trials, sprints), this type of bet requires a careful analysis of the cyclists’ abilities in each stage. For example, a bettor can bet that an expert mountain cyclist will win an alpine stage or that a sprinter will come first in a flat stage.
4. Duel Bets (Head to Head)
In duel or head to head bets, the bettor does not bet on the overall winner of the race, but on which of two selected cyclists will finish ahead of the other in a stage or in the general classification.
This type of bet is very interesting because you only have to choose which cyclist will beat the other in a direct comparison, regardless of whether either of them wins the stage or the race. It is ideal for punters who have knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of certain riders, especially on specific terrain or in particular situations such as steep climbs or time trials.
5. Team Betting
Cycling is an individual sport, but it also has a very strong team component. In some competitions, especially in the Grand Tours, teams play a key role in helping their leaders win stages or defend positions.
Team betting allows users to bet on which team will win a stage or the general classification. In some cases, bookmakers also offer markets to bet on the team that will have the most riders in the top 10 at the end of the race or stage. This type of betting requires a solid knowledge of team strategies and the role that domestiques play in the competition.
6. Jersey Wearer Betting
In stage races such as the Tour de France, cyclists are not only competing for the overall win, but also for the leadership jerseys. The most prominent ones are the yellow jersey (general classification leader), the green jersey (points classification leader), and the polka dot jersey (mountain classification leader). Bookmakers offer markets to bet on which cyclist will wear each jersey at the end of the competition.
This type of bet is more specialized and requires an in-depth analysis of each cyclist’s strengths. Bettors must consider not only who has a chance of winning the general classification, but also who might excel in the mountains or be the best sprinter in the competition.
7. In-Play Betting
Live betting on cycling is becoming increasingly popular, allowing users to place bets while the race is in progress. Since cycling is a sport with many sudden changes, the odds can fluctuate quickly depending on what happens in the race, such as crashes, attacks in the mountains or unexpected performances by certain cyclists.
Live betting allows users to react in real time to what is happening in the competition, which can make betting more exciting and strategic.
Conclusion
Cycling offers an interesting variety of bet types on online platforms, from simple bets on the winner of a race to more complex markets such as duel bets or leadership jerseys. To maximize the chances of success, it is essential for punters to carefully analyze the race conditions, the physical condition of the riders and team tactics.
With the right tools and a deep understanding of the sport, cycling can be an exciting and potentially lucrative discipline for punters.
