Road cycling has been part of the Olympic Games program since its first edition in 1896.

There are three types of events:

1) ROAD RACE (part of the Olympic program)
The riders start together in a bunch. The courses are of varying distances (approx. 260 km for Elite Men in the UCI World Championships). Road races have several different formats: one day races from one point to another or on a circuit, such as the UCI World Championships or stage races.

2) INDIVIDUAL TIME TRIAL (part of the Olympic program)
The individual time trial is raced over 40-50 km (at the UCI World Championships and Olympic Games). The riders set off individually at regular intervals (1-2 minutes). The competitor completing the course in the fastest time is the winner.

3) TEAM TIME TRIAL
The principle is the same as for the individual time trial but this event is raced by teams of a minimum of 2 riders and a maximum of 10 riders. The team time trial will be on the program at the UCI Road World Championships as from 2012, (5 to 6 riders per team). All the UCI Teams will be able to participate (UCI ProTeams, UCI Professional Continental Teams, UCI Continental Teams, UCI Women’s Teams).