Key dates in cycling

26 August 1890: 21 cycling enthusiasts founded the Association Sport Vélocipédique de la Principauté (SVP), which was renamed the Sport Vélocipédique Monégasque (SVM) a week later. At the time, a character reference was required for membership, and the organisation was run along quasi-military lines. This was a result of the growing popularity of this mode of transport, which had undergone a technical boom between 1860 and 1880. The SVM became one of the oldest sports associations in the Principality after the Société des Régates, founded in 1888. 

9 April 1893: the SVM, together with the Société des Régates and the Monaco Philharmonic Society, organised the first cycling meeting in the Principality’s history. This event, held under the patronage of the then Governor-General, Baron de Farincourt, featured five races with prizes in the form of cash, medals and works of art. The programme included: a 2,800-metre race over four laps for junior and then senior riders from the SVM; a 4,200-metre race over six laps to be completed in a maximum of 8 minutes 20 seconds, reserved for residents of Monaco and certain neighbouring departments; a 7,000-metre race to be completed in 14 minutes 10 seconds; and finally, a 3,500-metre race to be completed in under 7 minutes 30 seconds (two heats plus finals).

1893: the SVM became a member of the Union Vélocipédique de France (UVF)

1907: the SVM became the ‘Sport Automobile et Vélocipédique de Monaco’ (SAVM)

1910: Final of the Monaco International Professional Grand Prix

28 March 1920: Grand Prix de la Montagne: Monte Carlo – La Turbie – Mont Agel. 
Due to the condition of the roads and their use by trams and cars, the coastline could not be used as a race venue. The International Sporting Club (a division of the Société des Bains de Mer (SBM)) and the newspaper *L’Echo des sports* joined forces to create a mountain race that would start in Monaco and head towards the Golf du Mont-Agel (also owned by the SBM). Contested by professionals and ‘tourists’, these races were sometimes held in harsh conditions for the riders (fog, snow, etc.). The first winner completed the course in 37 minutes 31 seconds.

1921: Laurent Devalle turned professional and took part in the first of his three Tour de France races

1924: AS Monaco Omnisports is founded following the merger of several sports clubs in the Principality, including the Ravanett Club, where cycling was practised. The sport is one of the five founding disciplines of the Monegasque institution, which is now a century old.

1925: The SAVM becomes the Automobile Club de Monaco

1926: Monegasque cyclist Albert Vigna takes part in the Tour de France

23–25 July 1939: the Tour de France visits for the first time. As the finish town for the 12th stage from Saint-Raphaël, the Principality is then at the heart of the action with the 13th stage, Monaco–Monaco, before the riders set off on 25 July towards Digne. More than 3,000 people were present in the stands set up for the occasion on Boulevard Albert-Ier, not to mention the thousands of spectators lining the streets to watch the yellow jersey and local hero ‘King René’ Vietto, a native of Le Cannet, ride past.
At that time, cycling was no longer practised within AS Monaco.

1949: 1^st Monaco Cycling Grand Prix: winner Emile Rol

1951: Monaco Cycling Rounds, won by D. Canavese. In 1974, this race became the Monaco Criterium

1952: Official founding of the UCM (Union Cycliste Monégasque) as an independent club.

1964: A legendary duel between Poulidor and Anquetil during the Tour de France. 
The Briançon–Monaco stage was won by the legendary Jacques Anquetil, one of the most successful riders in the history of cycling. The stage was marked by a misunderstanding, as Raymond Poulidor, hot on Anquetil’s heels as they entered the track at the former Stade Louis-II, was unaware that he had to complete not one, but two laps of the track. Before the end of the first lap, he sprinted and retook the lead, but stopped after crossing the finish line before realising his mistake and setting off again. He finished this stage in 5th place. Ultimately, Anquetil went on to win his fifth Tour de France that year, 55 seconds ahead of Poulidor.

18 May 1966: Monte Carlo hosted the Grand Départ of the Giro d’Italia. The Principality was celebrating the centenary of Monte Carlo at the time. The team presentation took place at night and was broadcast on Eurovision.

15 March 1970: The first edition of the Monte Carlo–Alassio race, which was started on the Place du Palais by Princess Grace and Prince Rainier III

1974: The first Critérium de Monaco, which still brings the Principality’s streets to life every year in March

1982: First participation in the Tour Méditerranéen. The Principality was the finish line for the final stage from Antibes to Monaco.

1983: The last Monaco Cycling Grand Prix, won by the Dane Kim Andersen

1985: Founding of the Monegasque Cycling Federation

2009: The Tour last started in the Principality, with the organisation of the first stage – a time trial around Monaco – and the start of the second stage from Quai Albert I^er

2018: Victor Langellotti becomes the third Monegasque professional cyclist in history

2020: Monegasque cyclist Antoine Berlin enters the professional ranks

2021: Launch of Beking Monaco by Italian professional cyclist Matteo Trentin, in collaboration with local experts and athletes. This cycling event, centred around Port Hercule, combines top-level sport, a professional criterium, charity races and initiatives to raise children’s awareness of sustainable transport

2024: Start of the final stage of the Tour de France, Monaco–Nice, in the form of an individual time trial

2025: H.S.H. Prince Albert II announces the creation of a cycling academy