Lone rider embarks on a frozen odyssey: 11 unmissable cycling events in 2016

Iditarod

The Iditarod, possibly the world's toughest single-ride race, spans 350 kilometers of mountainous terrain and requires riders to endure extreme temperatures and scarce provisions as they traverse Alaska's tundra.

Location: Alaska

Date: February 28th

Must-watch reason: Riders must possess superhuman determination to complete the grueling event amidst the harsh Alaskan winter conditions that are far from easy for ordinary people to handle.

Crankworx Rotorua

Reforms in downhill racing will continue at Crankworx Rotorua in New Zealand. The five-day event features innovative competition formats and large-scale mountain bike culture.

Location: Rotorua, New Zealand

Date: March 9th - 13th

Must-watch reason: The first spring enduro race will take place at the slopestyle-packed Crankworx Rotorua. Will we see another rising star emerge after last year's champion Brett Rheeder?

UCI MTB World Cup Lourdes Downhill Round

Loic Bruni is set to compete at this prestigious French city of pilgrimage. Having won his first World Championship title last season, can he maintain his dominance on the podium?

Location: Lourdes, France

Date: April 9th -10th

Must-watch reason：French young gun Loïc Bruni made history by winning his first-ever World Championship title in just one season since entering professional competitions. Can he keep up with expectations?

UCI XCO MTB World Championships Nové Město

This marks a historic split between cross-country and downhill races within UCI championships. For the first time ever, these two disciplines will be held separately over different dates and locations. First up is June-July’s cross-country championship in Czech Republic.

Location：Czech Republic

Date：June 28th - July3rd

Must-watch reason：While everyone focuses on Rio Olympics this year, chances are high for an underdog contender emerging victorious among countless competitors at this year’s championships. Mathias Fluckiger has a chance to outshine others alongside his brother Lukas who might succeed him as champion at Nové Město.

X Games Austin BMX Park & Dirt Finals

Celebrating its third anniversary hosting X-Games events in America，BMX Park、Vert、and Dirt competitions promise thrill rides.

Location：Austin，Texas，USA

Dates：June2nd-5th

Reasons why you should watch it：

Daniel Sandoval took home gold medals from BMX park contest last year but don’t count Daniel Dhers out yet; Dhers has extensive experience participating in such contests with five X-Games titles under belt already.

环法自行车赛 (Tour de France)

Ringed by fame as one of world most iconic cycling events comes its centennial edition—the Tour de France.

Duration：Three weeks

Starting date：July2nd

Ending date；21st

World Champion Peter Sagan always seems like dark horse candidate but never stops improving climbing skills with plenty experience accumulated through various timed races making him worth watching.

Red Bull Trans-Siberian Extreme

Inspired by legendary Russian railway route Trans-Siberian Express comes Red Bull Trans-Siberian Extreme – longest staged race globally spanning over Russia.

Distance : approximately \

Start Date : July5th \

End Date : July28

Brandon Semenuk takes flight during Red Bull Joyride practice session.

Red Bull Joyride Whistler Mountain Bike Park Canada [Whistler]Canada

August [exact date TBA\]

Last Updated [latest update]

Aaron Gwin puts finishing touches on perfect run during Val di Sole DH finals day.

UCI DH MTB World Championships Val di Sole Italy September8-11

Focus point:

World Cup course master Aaron Gwin may have all awards except for one – rainbow jersey awarded only once annually during UCI Worlds which would represent full career achievement.

Will there be any change next year?