Epic Grand Tour Cycling Races, Thousands of Kilometers, and a Touch of Czech Glass

Bicycles are rolling everywhere, but real legends are created where they started. Jump on your bike and head out for an exciting adventure – it’s a plan that always works. Whether you’re climbing up steep mountain paths or cruising smoothly on flat roads, cycling in the Czech Republic and its various paths is like a buffet of experiences.

Select from challenging mountain routes for climbers or peaceful trails by the rivers, where your only risk might be an ice cream treat in the nearest village.

Grand Tour: three races, three chances to become a legend

But before you strap on your helmet and dive into the map, hold on a second. You might want to kick back in front of the TV instead of hopping on your bike. Every year there’s a new Grand Tour, the three most popular cycling races in the world. These are events where cyclists pedal hard enough to make the Earth spin quicker.
The Grand Tour season kicks off in spring with the pink classic Giro d’Italia, carries on with the yellow frenzy of the Tour de France, and wraps up with the dramatic red finale of the Vuelta a España. Three lengthy races, each lasting three weeks and filled with wild marathons over mountains, valleys, and miles of smooth roads. Each one unique, each one tough. The only thing they share is that anyone who crosses the finish line deserves major respect. Just completing two Grand Tours in a single year is an incredible achievement that only the strongest can pull off. And what about us? We’re on this cycling craze with our own Czech tracks – in the pedals and in the design. At the conclusion of the largest cycling event on the globe – the Tour de France – the winner is awarded a unique trophy crafted from Czech glass, shaped like an iconic vase by Lasvit from Nový Bor. While bicycles roll around the world, legends and pride are built right here at home.
So let’s dive into it: where does it hurt the most, where is it challenging – and where is the most celebration happening?

Giro d’Italia: Italian romance on two wheels

As Italy awakens in spring, cyclists gear up for the Giro d’Italia – the opening act of the three Grand Tours, which is as lively and unpredictable as the country it crosses. The pink leader’s jersey, known as maglia rosa, is not just a trendy item, but a representation of endless effort amidst rain, wind, heat, and snow. Yes, the Giro can throw everything at you from sunshine to snowstorms on passes like Passo dello Stelvio.
The Giro’s course isn’t for the weak; steep ascents come with winding declines and narrow paths. The Giro resembles a cycling opera, where you battle not only against rivals but mostly against your own limitations. For instance, the legendary duels of Marco Pantani, a man with speed like the wind and dreams in his head, or Vincenzo Nibali, who could slice through the peloton like a hungry shark.
However, while the Tour de France is a global spectacle and the Vuelta a España a rodeo, the Giro is more akin to a family affair – with enthusiastic fans taking over the mountain roads, having picnics, and cheering for anyone brave enough to pass by. And adding a little history, let’s note that this second oldest and one of the most grueling cycling stage races first took place in 1909. Three riders have even won the Giro five times: they were Alfredo Binda, Fausto Coppi, and Eddy Merckx.

Tour de France: a grand old lady on wheels

As summer approaches, the cycling world halts. It’s time for the Tour de France – a race that seems larger than life itself. Over three weeks, it covers 21 stages and more than three thousand kilometers of suffering, all mixed with wine, cheese, the exhausting climbs of the Alps and Pyrenees, and, of course – that desired yellow jersey, maillot jaune.
The Tour isn’t just a race; it’s like an open-air show. Villages crowd the streets, grandmas wave from their windows, and kids scribble messages for their heroes on the roads. Helicopters hover overhead, sponsor caravans toss promotional goodies, and a massive crowd lines the path, making the Tour the greatest cycling circus on the planet. It’s not solely about fame. It’s about becoming unforgettable. Believe it or not, the so-called Old Lady, the Tour de France, marked its 120th anniversary in 2023 since its inception in 1903. Its debut route started in Paris, winding across France, with Maurice Garin being the first winner, finishing the 2,428 km path in a bit over 94 hours. Ironically, this same winner faced competition again the following year, only to be disqualified later for boarding a train to skip the climb in the Alps.
An extraordinary trophy awaits the winner of this legendary and scandal-ridden race at the Champs-Élysées in Paris. It’s a glass vase – both elegant and delicate yet strong. This trophy symbolizes victory, crafted from sand, fire, and the unmatched talent of Czech glassmakers. Since 2011, Lasvit has been creating these trophies in collaboration with designer Peter Olah. Each beautifully made trophy is formed from a single piece of hand-blown and hand-cut crystal glass. Anyone who lifts this stunning piece is also lifting a piece of the Czech Republic.
And it’s not just our glass that’s noteworthy: Czech riders have penned their stories in the Tour too, such as Roman Kreuziger, Zdeněk Štybar, Leopold König, and more recently Jan Hirt. Winning isn’t everything, and that’s never been the Tour’s core value. It’s about the stories of pain, perseverance, and those moments where it’s just you and your bike pedaling into the distance.

Vuelta a España: A hot finale to the season

Completing just one Tour is a heroic accomplishment. Doing another Grand Tour in the same year? That’s on par with wanting to swim an ocean after running a marathon. Yet every year, some cyclists do two or even all three. Just when they think they have it sorted out, August/September arrives, bringing the Vuelta a España – the season’s final act in the Grand Tour. It’s a race for those looking to end the season with style.
Among the three Grand Tours, the Vuelta has its own distinct vibe. It’s not as flashy as the Tour, nor does it hold the heritage of the Giro, but it embodies the spirit of a rebel. This race, started in 1935, changes its starting point every year, but the final stage typically ends in Madrid, Spain’s capital. Each stage is full of surprises: one moment, you’re cycling along the serene Spanish plains, and the next, you’re testing your limits on legendary climbs like Angliru or Sierra Nevada. Navigating these hills is punishing, and in Spain, the weather can be extreme, either pouring rain or sun that heats the asphalt until it bubbles.
At the Vuelta, cyclists take a straightforward approach – pedal hard, start attacking early, with no time for strategies. It’s three intense weeks, then back home to recover tired legs and souls. Don’t forget the leader’s red jersey, La Roja which signifies not just speed but also bravery. Winning the Vuelta resembles surviving a storm in the desert – it’s painful, yet the glory is undeniable.

Wheels are turning everywhere, legends are being made at home

Three races, three remarkable tales on the edge of what’s possible. The Giro’s pink jersey, Tour’s yellow jersey, and Vuelta’s red jersey – and we Czechs leave our mark there, whether it’s in the peloton or through glass vases designed by Peter Olah from Lasvit.
So, are you cycling? Or maybe just relaxing on the couch with the remote? The next time you tune into the Giro, Tour, or Vuelta and ponder what it’s like to pedal for three weeks non-stop, keep this in mind: you don’t have to be a cycling star like Tadej Pogačar or part of the famous Czech Velocipedist Club 1890 to truly enjoy cycling. All you need is a bike, a road, a little Czech determination, and perhaps even equipment from one of the finest Czech cycling brands.
While the great tales of international cycling are really inspiring, there’s no rush to fly to the Alps or Pyrenees just yet. We have worth-while bike races here too. Check out Which Way From Boredom for a schedule of races from spring until fall. The Peace Race, once viewed as the Tour de France of the Eastern Bloc, has now been re-envisioned as the The U23 Peace Race, showcasing the future cycling stars.
Don’t forget the Czech Tour – this is the biggest stage race in the country, hosting local talent alongside international names.

And let’s not overlook wonderful events like Prima Cup or L’Étape Czech Republic by Tour de France, proving that cycling is very much alive and thriving in the Czech skies.