Online Betting on Cycling Tips, Odds & Best Cycling Sites for 2024
By Scott Bowen,Editor at online-gambling.com
Scott Bowen
Editor at online-gambling.com
| Rules Diffuculty | Easy |
|---|---|
| Betting Types | 10+ |
| Payout | 91.50% - 94.00% |
| How to Win | Tips & Strategies |
| Where to Bet | Betiton |
How to Bet on Cycling: Betting Guide
Although it is not a mainstream sport, cycling provides fantastic wagering opportunities. If you are not familiar with this sport, we are here to guide you through the most important aspects. Stay with us, and you will learn how to bet on cycling thanks to this comprehensive cycling betting guide.
But before taking a sneaky peek into all details, you should pick the operator to place your bets. Of course, you should search for the one that offers the best odds and works with low-profit margins. To save you time in that quest, we recommend you a sportsbook where you can get the most out of your cycling betting.
Best Online Cycling Betting Site to Bet for Real Money:
Top Offer
It doesn’t matter if you are an experienced punter or have just dipped into the cycling wagering waters, this bookie should be a good choice. But before starting to place real money bets, you should check the cycle betting basics. This is how you can easily kick off your cycling betting experience.
Cycling Betting Rules
Obviously, the simplest way to bet on cycling is picking the winner of the race. However, there are other opportunities that you should consider taking advantage of. They may help you make your cycling betting more profitable, and knowing all the rules can be pretty handy.
You should always have them in mind and apply when the opportunity of placing a bet emerges. We recommend taking a look at these highlighted rules and using some of them when betting on the top cycling betting sites. This table may serve as a small cycling wagering guide as well.
| Rule | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Place bets on major events | Major events usually offer the best payout percentages, and bookmakers offer different markets on those. You will have the opportunity to back your favorite cyclist or team, as they put special focus on the preparation for the most famous races in the season. |
| Check the race stage you want to wager on | Before placing a bet, you should understand the specific race stage. If the race is in the climbing stage, then you should look forward to backing the cyclist with proven climbing abilities. If the race is in the sprint stage, your choice should be a cyclist covering short distances the best. |
| Don’t rely on the outrights | Cycling might be pretty unpredictable, and relying your strategies on outrights shouldn’t be your preference. It is a very competitive sport, and some surprises may occur more often than expected. In case you want to try out your skills and go with the outrights, bear in mind to stake them properly. |
| Shop around for the best lines | Finding the perfect available prices shouldn’t be underestimated when betting on cycling. You should always look to capitalize on the best lines and increase your chances of ending up with profits. Spend some time analyzing the movements, and act quickly to lock the best possible price. |
| Take care of your bankroll | Before entering the cycling betting waters, you should put the bankroll management plan. Without it, you will miss the chance to capitalize on your cycling betting and eventually lose potential profits. This rule doesn’t apply only to cycling but to any other sport you are about to wager. |
You will make your online cycling betting experience much easier if you follow the above rules. Also, you can increase your chances of being more profitable. Of course, punters can adjust their strategies at any time, but they always need to stick to the basics and remain on a good track.
Betting Types
When you dive into the cycling betting offer, you will see plenty of betting types. If you are a newbie in cycling betting, then the list of betting types we are about to present will be very helpful. Before making any cycling wager, explore these types and pick the markets you are most comfortable with.
The following betting types are available at the finest cycling betting websites, and you can take full advantage of them. Some you might know very well, while others will be a revelation for you. Even if you are a seasoned bettor, check this list as you may find some additional options.
| Betting Type | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Race winner | This is the most straightforward cycling betting type as the aim is to predict who will win the race. You don’t need to do anything extra besides picking the winner of the race. If your bet turns out to be a success, you can get nice profits. |
| Top 3 finish | If you have a hunch, but you are still unsure whether your favorite will win the race, you can try with the Top 3 finish market. Your selected cyclist doesn’t need to win the race, but you will win a bet as long as he finishes in the top three. The odds are shorter compared to the previous betting type, but the risk is considerably lower. |
| Top 10 finish | This is a very similar market to the previous one, as it works on the same principle. Your selected cyclist should finish in the top ten for you to win a bet. |
| Futures bets | Like in other sports, cycling provides you the opportunity to wager on the race winner months before it actually starts. However, this betting type is pretty risky because many things can change before the race kick-off. On the other hand, the odds are more generous as well. |
| Stage bets | This betting type is similar to the first from the list, as it applies the same principle. The main difference is that you don’t wager the race’s winner, but only the winner of a particular stage. |
| The Green jersey bet | This one is a very interesting betting type as it allows you to make multiple wagers of the same kind during the race. The green jersey is awarded after every stage, meaning that there is the opportunity to place various bets during the tour. |
| Young rider bet | With this betting type, you can back the best young cyclist during a race or a tour. The cyclist who has the best overall record and is 25 years old or younger can be the best young rider. He gets awarded a white jersey as well. |
| King of the mountain bet | Many famous cycling races include climbing, and this betting type focuses on the cyclists’ performances for those particular stages. If your selection has the best overall climbing record during the tour, you can count on nice payouts. |
| Number of finishers | This market addresses the total number of cyclists that will finish a particular race. A bookmaker sets the margin, and you should predict whether the total number of finishers will be below or over that margin. If you pick correctly, your bet wins. |
The betting types you found above are the most popular ones for cycling. You can see that they provide you with different opportunities, and if you utilize them, profits can be yours. In any case, they can only enhance your sports betting experience and take it to a higher level.
Cycling Betting Terms
Many cycling betting terms match the ones you can find in other sports, but some of them are specific to this sport. Due to the cycling nature, you may not find some of these terms apply to other sports. Let’s see what useful phrases you can learn for your cycling betting.
- Match Up – A punter chooses the winner of the head-to-head racing contest between two riders. It can be the sprint contest or the green jersey match-up.
- Time trial – Unlike the term above, this one refers to the cyclist racing alone. Each rider tries to beat the clock and races under the same conditions as others. Time trial can take place on a track or a road race.
- Accumulator – This term is common in betting, and you can find it in other sports. It refers to the multiple choices of picks on the same bet slip. In order to get a payout, all your selections need to be correct.
With these varieties and betting types presented in the previous section, you can make some good combinations for successful betting on cycling. Different disciplines provide multiple opportunities and create additional value for punters. Of course, the most famous events bring the richest markets which should be explored.
Odds & Payouts
Cycling betting may bring you nice profits, but you need to get the best cycling betting odds possible. Also, punters should focus on races and tours that provide the highest payout percentage. It means that you will get the best out of your cycling wagers and maximize potential payouts.
If you intend to enhance your cycling betting experience, you should check the race calendars and plan your actions accordingly. It will help you plan the strategies better and focus on the events you know the best. Here you can find the list of races you can find at all reputable online cycling betting sites.
| Tour | Nation | Continent | Payout % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tour Down Under | Open to All | Australia | 92.30% |
| Tour de France | Open to All | Europe | 94.00% |
| La Vuelta an Espana | Open to All | Europe | 93.70% |
| Giro d’Italia | Open to All | Europe | 93.75% |
| Olympic Cycling | Open to All | N/A | 93.20% |
| Tour of Britain | Open to All | Europe | 93.35% |
Depending on the tour, you can expect to get different odds. Consequently, it will impact your potential payouts too. From what we had the chance to explore, punters can count on getting the best odds for the most popular events such as Tour de France. Other European events also provide a good value for your cycling betting.
Leagues and Tournaments
From less popular races to ones that attract the attention of all cycling enthusiasts, punters can enjoy placing their cycling wagers. Of course, bettors tend to be more active in betting on the most famous events. Nevertheless, you should always check the offer for the lesser-known ones, as occasionally you can get a good value.
The most notable cycling events take place in Europe, especially in France, Spain, and Italy. Those are the major events in the cycling season, and even those who are not so into this sport know a lot of details about them. We are about to present you with the most famous cycling courses.
Tour de France
This is unarguably the most famous cycling tour in the world. It features 21 stages, and it has more than a 100-year-long tradition. It was organized for the first time in 1903, and it became one of the world’s most reputable sporting events. Eight riders represent each of the 20 or 22 teams that participate in the race.
Giro d’Italia
Tour of Italy may not be so prestigious as the previous race, but it also enjoys a big reputation, and it is one of the major cycling betting events. Riders can enjoy scenes of breathtaking Apls during a 21-stage race. This event usually takes place in May and before the Tour de France. However, some stages may be organized outside Italy, and it’s usually the opening one.
La Vuelta an Espana
This is another cycling event with a long tradition. It was held for the first time in 1935, and by this date, it counts 75 editions. This 21-stage tour lasts for 23 days, and organizers define a unique route each year. Nevertheless, it always passes through the Pyrenees, while the finish line is in Madrid.
Tour Down Under
Tour Down Under is definitely not as famous as the previous three events, but it is a very exciting tour. This race kicks off the cycling season, as it takes place in January. This 10-day competition runs in southern Australia and provides the opportunity for all punters to start a new adventure of betting on cycling.
Best Cycling Betting Sites
You cannot find the best cycling betting sites without making a comparison. It may take some time to analyze all the relevant aspects and pick the bookie that suits you the most. Luckily, we have done a significant piece of comparison on your behalf so that you can spend more time dipping into the cycling betting offer.
Here below the Top 5 Cycling Online bookmakers for 2024:
| Cycling Betting Site | Welcome Bonus | Pros and Cons | Test Score | Trusted Link | Terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Betiton | Get $10 Free Bet | High diversity of special markets , Huge choice of payment methods , Withdrawal speed | 99% | www.betiton.com | New customers only. max one £10 free bet. Qualifying bets must be placed at odds of 2.00 or greater. Skrill, Neteller & Paypal are not eligible. T&C's apply. 18+ |
| Unibet | $Get $40 Free Bet | Reputabe bookmaker , Excellent live streaming , Customer support response speed | 98% | www.unibet.com | Full T&Cs apply. Make your first cash bet on any event. If your first settled bet loses, you will receive a refund in bonus money to your account equal to the amount of your losing wager (up to $250). You will receive the refund within 72 hours. Promotion Period - October 29th, 2019 – Onward. Players that are awarded a bonus for the Risk-Free Bet refund, will not be eligible for the 100% Casino Match Deposit. When depositing, players have to select the “Sportsbook | 2x $10 Free Bets & $250 Risk Free Bet” offer in the ‘Select your bonus’ section. |
| Mr.Play | Get $10 | Many banking options , Exceptional variety of markets , No Live streaming | 98% | www.mrplay.com | 18+, Welcome Bonus: New Players only, 1st Deposit, Min Deposit,: $10, max $10 free bet valid for 14 days, bets must be placed at odds of 2.00 or greater and be settled within 14 days of placement. System bets no eligible. |
With this selection of sportsbooks, you can count on getting top-notch service, competitive odds, and a wide range of markets. Most importantly, all these bookmakers are highly reputable and licensed by the world’s most prominent regulatory bodies. Besides wagering cycling markets, you can place your bets on other sports such as tennis.
Bookmaker Offers & Bonuses
When registering for an online account at one of these bookmakers, you can count on getting a lucrative welcome bonus. You can use those bonus funds on cycling betting offers provided by a particular sportsbook. Besides the most-common deposit matching bonus, punters can get free bets or cashback.
However, new customers are not the only ones that can enjoy benefits. These bookmakers take care of their existing and loyal punters thanks to various cycling betting promotions. These offers cover all cycling betting markets and, of course, the major events. Let’s see what you can expect after signing up for an online account at these sportsbooks.
| Cycling Betting Site | Bonus* | Wagering Requirement | Min Odds | Min Deposit | Top Payment Method | T&C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Betiton | Up to $10 | No requirements | 2.00 | $10 | MasterCard | New customers only. max one £10 free bet. Qualifying bets must be placed at odds of 2.00 or greater. Skrill, Neteller & Paypal are not eligible. T&C's apply. 18+ |
| Unibet | Up to $40 | 3x | 1.40 | $10 | Neteller | Full T&Cs apply. Make your first cash bet on any event. If your first settled bet loses, you will receive a refund in bonus money to your account equal to the amount of your losing wager (up to $250). You will receive the refund within 72 hours. Promotion Period - October 29th, 2019 – Onward. Players that are awarded a bonus for the Risk-Free Bet refund, will not be eligible for the 100% Casino Match Deposit. When depositing, players have to select the “Sportsbook | 2x $10 Free Bets & $250 Risk Free Bet” offer in the ‘Select your bonus’ section. |
| Mr. Play | Up to $10 | No requirements | 2.00 | $10 | PayPal | 18+, Welcome Bonus: New Players only, 1st Deposit, Min Deposit,: $10, max $10 free bet valid for 14 days, bets must be placed at odds of 2.00 or greater and be settled within 14 days of placement. System bets no eligible. |
Any of these promotions can enhance your online cycling betting experience and provide more value to the money you deposited. You won’t be restricted from placing wagers on any cycling market available. Get the most out of these promotions, meet the playthrough requirements, and turn it into profits.
Live Cycling Betting
Live cycling betting provides another dimension in sports wagering as it offers some unique markets. If you prefer the in-play action, then you will love what cycling markets have to offer. For example, you can back the cyclist who will reach the top of the mountain first or who will be the quickest in a sprint.
Top for Live Betting
Top online cycling betting sites don’t miss the chance to offer these wagering opportunities to their customers. The same can be said for our recommended bookie, as we wouldn’t point it if it isn’t the case. Besides that, get a lucrative welcome bonus and dip into the live markets that are not limited to cycling but include other sports like soccer.
Cycling Betting Apps
Betting on the go became an integral part of any bookmakers’ portfolio. Therefore, all important features are integrated into cycling betting apps. It means that, besides playing your live bets, you can perform all kinds of transactions, take advantage of a cashout, or manage your account.
Android and iOS devices fully support betting apps, and they are tailored for small screens. Since smartphones became more powerful in recent years, punters shouldn’t experience any lagging while placing their live bets or dealing with any feature. Our recommended betting app provides a punter with everything he or she needs for successful cycling betting.
Besides wagering on cycling races, punters can use betting apps to place their bets on all other sports. If you see a valuable opportunity to make a basketball wager, you will be able to do it without any problem. If you are a new customer, don’t worry, you will get a welcome bonus even if you sign up with your betting app.
New Betting Sites
From time to time, you may encounter new operators in the sports betting market. We always search for new brands and evaluate their offer, odds quality, market diversity, and trustworthiness. Some of them provide an excellent service, and if you look for a new sportsbook with a reasonable cycling offer, we will recommend one.
This operator stands side by side with the most popular bookmakers on the market. With the extensive cycling offer, you will get everything you need for successful wagering. Its live betting section covers all popular events, and the majority of tours are represented in the offer.
Where to Legally Bet on Cycling
When it comes to the legal situation about cycling betting, it differs from one country to another. Every jurisdiction has its regulations, and punters should check them first in order to comply with them. If you look for basic information about a particular country, the table below may help you.
| Country | Legal Age | Online Cycling Betting |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 21 | Depends on the State |
| United Kingdom | 18 | Yes |
| Italy | 18 | Yes |
| France | 18 | Yes |
| Spain | 18 | Yes |
| Australia | 18 | Yes |
In most European countries, the legal situation for sports betting, in general, is pretty clear. Many reputable online cycling betting sites are regulated by the trusted European bodies such as Malta Gaming Authority. Whether it is about pre-race or in-play cycling betting, it is considered legal in major European countries.
On the other hand, the situation in the United States is more complicated. Sports betting has been prohibited since a couple of years ago, but the states started loosening the constraints. Things are going in a positive direction in some states that still haven’t legalized sports betting, and we expect some good news soon.
Tips and Strategies
Punters should exploit different angles when it comes to sports betting and apply some basic tips at least. We are going to introduce some cycling betting strategies that are simple to adopt and that can help you become more profitable in cycling betting.
- Understand the race types – Before dipping into the cycling markets, you need to explore different race types. Not every rider performs equally in all disciplines. Therefore, you can increase your chances of winning if you analyze which rider or team excels in each race type.
- Learn more about the individuals – A race may feature several stages, and it is important to know at which one a particular cyclist may excel. Some riders put their best performances in sprints, while others are better at climbing. Check each rider’s strengths and weaknesses before placing a bet.
- Analyze the teams – The same goes with teams as for the individuals. Even if there is a strong individual in a group, he cannot drive the team to victory by himself. This tip you should thoroughly explore if you intend to wager some of the most famous tours like Tour de France.
- Check weather conditions – Weather changes can impact the outcome of long tours. You can make more accurate predictions if you analyze players and their performances in particular weather conditions. Punters can find detailed information about the weather directly at cycling betting sites, which can help a lot in the in-play action.
- Spread bets over different riders – Although you might have a favorite in a race, don’t put the entire stake on just one bet. Spread it over several cyclists so that you can cover more outcomes and still get some profits from your wagers.
Besides these tips that rely mostly on the nature of a particular sport, in this case, cycling, other strategies focus on maths. Seasoned punters mostly use those, but even if you don’t have broad experience in cycle wagering, you can implement some of these cycling betting tips.
| Strategy | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Martingale | The Martingale strategy is perhaps the most popular one among punters worldwide. It is not hard to learn, and in theory, it can only bring you profits. The basic approach is to double the stake after each lost bet while returning to the initial stake in case of winning. However, you need to be careful and consider the payout limits and the bankroll size in case of a losing streak. |
| Kelly Criterion | Kelly Criterion is another famous strategy that works oppositely to Martingale. With this approach, a punter doubles the stake after each winning bet and cuts the stake when losing. Like in the previous scenario, you need to keep an eye on the bankroll closely. |
| Fibonacci System | The basis of this strategy is Fibonacci’s sequence. You keep increasing the stake to the next number in the series while losing and going back two steps if your wager wins. If you win on the first step, you should remain there until your bet is lost. |
| D’Alembert | D’Alembert’s strategy focuses on units, and the unit size is determined with your first bet. When you lose a wager, you increase the stake by one unit. On the other hand, if your first bet wins, you stake the same number of units for the next wager. |
| Hedging | Hedging is the strategy of hunting the discrepancies in the offers of different bookmakers. With the right staking, you may cover multiple or all outcomes, and no matter who wins the race, you will end up in winnings. It requires a lot of time and quick reflexes since odds may update within seconds, but it eventually locks the profits for you. |
As we already mentioned, the above strategies are built around different mathematical concepts and capitalizing on odds changes. Punters can apply them to betting on other sports like volleyball and not exclusively on cycling wagering. You can try these strategies out on many cricket betting websites.
History of Cycling Betting
The online cycling betting revolution started with technology improvements. When the internet became more accessible to a wide range of people in the early 2000s, sportsbooks moved their operations online. On the other hand, software developers worked on improving all features that we know and use today. Let’s mention some milestones in the cycling betting history.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2007 | The first milestone that started reshaping the online betting industry is the establishment of the UK Gambling Commission. It began to regulate all the gambling activities in the UK and became one of the most reputable bodies in the world. |
| 2007 | In the same year, the first live streams became available. At first, it included major sports only but spread to others over time, including cycling. Online bookmakers started their first live broadcasts of major sporting events, providing another level of service to their customers. |
| 2018 | Although sports betting has already been legalized in Europe, the situation wasn’t very good in the US. However, things changes after the Supreme Court of the USA lifted the ban and made gambling legislation available at the state level. |
| 2018 | It didn’t take much time before the first state legalized sports betting activities. The first to do that was Delaware, just three weeks after the Supreme Court lifted the ban. The state of New Jersey followed with regulating sports betting as well. |
| 2019 | One year after, Colorado joined the list of states that legalized betting on cycling and other sports. It made this state among the first ones to have allowed sports betting within its territory. |
Cycling wagering, and betting, in general, enjoyed huge benefits after it got legalized in the US. It opened an entirely new market, and millions of punters got the chance to place their bets. We are quite positive that new states that are about to allow gambling will improve the industry.
Final Thoughts
Although cycling doesn’t have a large punter base, it still provides different opportunities for profitable sports betting. Top cycling betting websites included this interesting sport in their offer. Punters can always register for an online account, get one of the amazing welcome deals like the one we are about to present, and enjoy their wagering experience.
Top Offer
Our experts work hard to collect all relevant information to make your cycling betting more comfortable. We search for different operators, rate them by various criteria, and bring you the best bookmakers at your fingertips. To summarize the basics of cycling betting, we have put together several frequently asked questions.
FAQ
With so much information in this article about different bookies, bonuses, tips, and strategies, some punters may get confused. In order to find your answers quickly, you can dip into the FAQ section, and it will resolve all your doubts about cycling betting.
1. What is the best online cycling betting site?
When we rate cycling betting websites, we put them on the test with a focus on several important criteria. Every punter has specific preferences, and those criteria don't have the same weight in all individual cases. Therefore, we put a list of sportsbooks with the best results from our research, and we can consider them the best online cycling betting sites.
2. How to make money betting on cycling?
Nobody can guarantee you to make money from cycling betting, but you can take advantage of the different promotions that bookies offer to their customers. Whether you are an existing player or a newly-registered one, you can always find an offer suitable for you. Get the best value for your money and turn these bonus offers into profits.
3. Are there any cycling betting tips and strategies?
Of course, punters can incorporate different tips and strategies into their cycling betting experience and capitalize on them. Ones are mostly focused on the nature of this sport, others rely on maths, but in any case, they can help you become more profitable in cycling wagering. We have explained some of them, and you should pick one that suits your wagering style the most.
4. Can I place in-play bets on cycling?
As for many other sports, live betting is available for cycling as well. In fact, punters can find many attractive markets for this sport. Depending on the race stage, you can try out some specific bets, such as who will climb the mountain first. Weather conditions play a significant role in cycling, and you can make selections based on the circumstances.
5. How to bet on cycling?
Betting on cycling is not complicated at all, but you need to learn about the sport as much as possible. Firstly, you need to get familiar with the betting rules and terms that are specific to this sport. After that, you may proceed with exploring advanced betting types and applying strategies from this article in your cycling betting experience. The combination of all these activities may lead you to make profits.