Although it is primarily a more popular sport in Western Europe, bicycle racing has become increasingly widespread through the United States and other countries across the world. The three most significant stage races for a professional cyclist are the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España; these races have produced some of the most renowned cyclists in history. These are five of the most prominent cycling legends in history:

Eddy Merckx

Born 1945 in Meensel-Kiezegem, Belgium

Tour de France wins: 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1974

One could argue that Eddy Merckx is one of history’s greatest cycling legends. Born in Belgium in 1945, Eddy Merckx received his first, used, racing bike at the age of eight. He later competed in his first race at Laeken in 1961 and would participate in 12 more races that year before winning his first race at Petit-Enghien. Merckx is one of the most decorated cyclists in history, winning five Tour de France titles, five Giro d’ Italia (Tour of Italy), all classic tours (except Paris), professional and amateur world championships and a hour world record.

Bernard Hinault

Born 1954 in Yffiniac, Brittany

Tour de France wins: 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1985

Winner of five Tour de France titles, French cyclists Bernard Hinault is another celebrated cyclist legend. Unlike some of the top cyclists, Hinault is the only rider to finish either first or second in each Tour de France he completed. Hinault also holds three Giro d’ Italia titles and two Vuelta a España (Tour of Spain) titles. In addition, he is the only cyclist to win all three Grand Tours more than once in his cycling career.

Jacques Anquetil

Born 1934 in Mont-Saint-Aignan, France

Died 1987 in Rouen, France

Tour de France wins: 1957, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964

A significant cycling legends in history, Jacquest Anguetil, was the first rider to win five Tour De France titles. His wins contributed to his remarkable capacity to ride alone against the clock in the individual timed stages of the tour. Besides to his tour victories, he won two Giro d’ Italia titles and one Vuelta a España title and was the first rider to receive the yellow jersey and wear it from the first day until the last of the Tour De France.

Miguel Indurain

Born 1964 in Villava, Navarre, Spain

Tour de France wins: 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995

Miguel Indurain was the top cyclist of the 1990s in world cycling. Indurain contributed to several historic moments in cycling at a very young age; youngest rider to win the Spanish Amateur Championship at 18 and the youngest to win a stage of Tour de l’Avenir (Tour of the Future) at 20. With five Tour de France titles, Indurain also won the Giro D’Italia title twice, a world time-trial championship and Olympic time-trial championship.

Fausto Coppi

Born 1919 in Castellania, Italy

Died 1960 in Tortona, Italy

Tour de France wins: 1949, 1952

Fausto Coppi is one of only three cyclists to win five Giro d’ Italia titles. Coppi was the leading international cyclist in the years before and after the Second World War; frequently referred to the golden years of international bicycle racing. In addition, to his Giro d’ Italia titles he holds a world championship title and two Tour de France titles.

Kelly prides herself as an active mum who makes sure her kids get a good dose of vitamin D and exercise in the weekends. Kelly has worked at several Perth shops for bicycles. She has recently bought her two sons mountain bikes for their 18th birthday.