If the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal or the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec means anything to you, then you are not new to cycling. This sport is popular across Canada, and provincially licensed sportsbooks (and private operators in Ontario) offer markets on major races. With plenty of cycling action throughout the year, both at home and internationally, you will never run short of cycling events to bet on. The outcomes of any cycling event can be unpredictable due to crashes, weather, and team tactics, so you can only make informed predictions about who might win. The bottom line is that it is possible to bet on cycling in Canada.
Popular Cycling Events
You are probably aware of the many cycling events throughout the year. In Canada, standout races include the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal and the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec (both UCI WorldTour events), the Canadian Road Cycling Championships, Tour de Beauce, Tour de Gatineau, and elite track meets at the Mattamy National Cycling Centre in Milton. These races often attract top international riders and see betting markets open with licensed Canadian sportsbooks. Beyond Canada, the major European stage races—often called the Grand Tours—also draw heavy interest and betting action throughout the season.
How to Bet on Cycling
Betting on cycling is similar to other sports such as athletics or soccer. For marquee races in Canada and abroad, you can place your bet on the individual winner or the team winner. You can also bet on the winner of each stage of a stage race. Many sportsbooks offer additional markets such as podium finishes (top 3), head-to-head matchups between riders, or jersey/classification winners. While riders with strong recent form are often favorites, crashes and injuries may prevent them from winning the race. Therefore, you can never be too sure of the outcome of any race.
Cycling Betting Odds
The most common betting formats you will see in Canada are decimal and fractional odds. Decimal odds are widely used because they are straightforward: if Michael Woods is listed at 5.00, a $1 stake would return $5 (including your stake). Fractional odds present the potential profit relative to your stake. For instance, if a rider’s odds are 5/1, it means that for every $1 staked, you would win $5. Racers widely expected to win get lower odds compared to those with little history of winning. As another decimal example, if a rider’s odds are 3.00, you would profit $2 for every $1 you have staked.
In summary
It is possible to bet on cycling in Canada. There are many cycling events throughout the year, the most notable at home being the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal and the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec, as well as national championships and other UCI races. You can bet on whoever you expect to win the entire race or each stage of the race. Like any other game, you can never be too sure about the eventual winner of the action, thanks to possible crashes and injuries during the races. Always stake only the amount of money you are ready to lose.