Spanish Cycling Vocabulary: A2/B1 Sports Guide

“Ciclismo” is the word for cycling. A cyclist is “ciclista” (same for male and female). Example: “El ciclismo es muy popular en España y Colombia” (Cycling is very popular in Spain and Colombia). For more cycling terms, check out our Complete Spanish Cycling Vocabulary Guide.

“La Vuelta a España” (The Tour of Spain) is one of cycling’s three Grand Tours, along with the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia. It takes place annually from August to September. The overall leader wears the “maillot rojo” (red jersey). Example: “La Vuelta a España tiene 21 etapas” (The Tour of Spain has 21 stages).

“Escalador” is a climber. Example: “El escalador colombiano ataca en el puerto” (The Colombian climber attacks on the mountain pass). Other rider types: “velocista” (sprinter), “gregario” (domestique/helper), “contrarrelojista” (time trial specialist), “rodador” (rouleur/all-rounder).

“Puerto” is the word for a mountain pass or climb. Example: “El puerto tiene 15 kilómetros al 8%” (The climb is 15 kilometers at 8%). Famous Spanish climbs: “Alto de l’Angliru”, “Puerto de Navacerrada”, “Puerto de la Morcuera”. A climb’s summit is “la cima”.

“Pelotón” is the peloton or main group of riders. Example: “El pelotón rueda a 45 km/h” (The peloton rides at 45 km/h). A breakaway is “fuga” or “escapada”. Example: “Dos corredores se escaparon del pelotón” (Two riders broke away from the peloton).

“Atacar” is to attack. Example: “El escalador atacó en el puerto” (The climber attacked on the climb). A counter-attack is “contraataque”. Example: “El contraataque sorprendió al líder” (The counter-attack surprised the leader). To chase is “perseguir”.

“Etapa” is a stage. Example: “La Vuelta tiene 21 etapas” (La Vuelta has 21 stages). Types of stages: “etapa de montaña” (mountain stage), “etapa llana” (flat stage), “contrarreloj” (time trial stage). The overall race is “la general”.

In La Vuelta a España: “maillot rojo” (red jersey – overall leader), “maillot verde” (green jersey – points leader), “maillot de lunares” (polka dot jersey – mountains leader – blue with white dots), “maillot blanco” (white jersey – best young rider). In the Tour de France: “maillot amarillo” (yellow jersey), “maillot verde” (green jersey), “maillot de lunares rojos” (red polka dot jersey).

“Bicicleta” is the full word, but most people say “bici” (shortened). Example: “Su bici pesa menos de siete kilos” (His bike weighs less than seven kilos). Parts of the bike: “cuadro” (frame), “ruedas” (wheels), “manillar” (handlebars), “sillín” (saddle), “pedal” (pedal).

“Casco” is helmet. Example: “El casco es obligatorio en competición” (The helmet is mandatory in competition). Other cycling clothing: “maillot” (jersey), “culotte” (cycling shorts), “zapatillas” (cycling shoes), “gafas” (glasses/sunglasses).

“Gregario” is a domestique or helper rider who works for the team leader. Gregarios fetch water bottles from the team car, chase breakaways, protect the leader from wind, and sacrifice their own chances for the leader. Example: “Los gregarios protegen al líder del viento” (The domestiques protect the leader from the wind).

“Velocista” is a sprinter. Example: “El velocista ganó en la llegada masiva” (The sprinter won in the bunch sprint). A sprint finish is “embalaje” or “llegada masiva”. The verb is “sprintear” (to sprint).

Miguel Induráin (Spain) – five-time Tour de France winner (1991-1995). Nickname: “El Rey” or “Big Mig.” Alberto Contador (Spain) – seven Grand Tour winner. Nickname: “El Pistolero.” Egan Bernal (Colombia) – Tour de France winner (2019). Nickname: “El Zipa.” Nairo Quintana (Colombia) – Giro d’Italia winner (2014). Carlos Sastre (Spain) – Tour de France winner (2008).

“Caída” is a crash. The verb is “caerse” (to crash). Example: “Se cayó en una curva mojada” (He crashed on a wet corner). To retire from the race is “retirarse” or “abandonar”. DNF is “no terminó”.

“¡Aúpa!” is a very Spanish cheer meaning “Let’s go!” or “Come on!” It’s commonly shouted by fans to encourage riders, especially during mountain stages. Example: “¡Aúpa, aúpa, aúpa!” Other cycling cheers: “¡Dale duro!” (Go hard!), “¡Corre, corre!” (Ride, ride!), “¡Que viene el pelotón!” (The peloton is coming!).

“Contrarreloj” is a time trial. Example: “El contrarrelojista ganó la crono” (The time trial specialist won the TT). Riders race alone against the clock. A team time trial is “contrarreloj por equipos”. The individual time trial is “contrarreloj individual”.

Both mean a climb, but they are used differently. “Puerto” is the most common word for a mountain pass or climb. “Alto” is also used for a high point or climb, especially in names: “Alto de l’Angliru,” “Alto de Navacerrada.” Example: “El Alto de l’Angliru es un puerto muy duro” (The Angliru is a very hard climb). The summit is “la cima” or “el alto”.

“Desarrollo” or “marcha” is gear. Example: “Cambió de desarrollo para subir el puerto” (He changed gear to climb the mountain pass). The gears/derailleur are “cambio”. To shift gears: “cambiar de marcha”. A big gear (hard to pedal) is “desarrollo grande”. A small gear (easy to pedal) is “desarrollo pequeño”.

“Pinchazo” is a flat tire / puncture. Example: “Tuvo un pinchazo en el puerto” (He had a flat tire on the climb). The verb is “pinchar” (to puncture). To change a tire: “cambiar la rueda” or “cambiar el neumático”. The team car can provide a wheel change: “cambio de rueda”.

The best ways: 1) Watch La Vuelta a España with Spanish commentary (RTVE, Eurosport Spain). 2) Follow Spanish-speaking cyclists on social media (Egan Bernal, Nairo Quintana). 3) Listen to Spanish cycling podcasts like “El Pelotón” or “Ciclismo a Fondo.” 4) Read cycling news on Spanish sites like Marca.com (ciclismo section) or CiclismoAFondo.es. 5) Watch cycling video games in Spanish. 6) Take our Spanish Cycling Vocabulary Quiz to test your knowledge!