LEGO Olympic Sports - Part 1: Road Cycling
Posted by CapnRex101,
The Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro began with a spectacular opening ceremony yesterday and the sporting events have started in earnest today. The enormous popularity of sport is reflected in a surprisingly broad range of different sport-based sets which LEGO has released and we will be taking a look at some of them over the next two weeks.
The cycling road race is one of the highlights of the first day and the popularity of this sport has not escaped the attention of LEGO. A small group of cycling sets was released in 2000 as part of the Town theme and these are the subject of our first Olympic article.
Television allows the Olympics to be enjoyed across the world and much of the filming is done using motorcycles during a road race. 1197 Telekom Race Cyclist is a perfect example of this as a trike drives along with a camera trained on the cyclist behind.
Taking on food and water is integral to success in any cycling endurance race, as reflected by 1198 Telekom Race Cyclists and Service Crew. The set includes a table laden with bananas and water bottles, the latter of which is known as a bidon in the world of cycling. The mechanical aspect of the sport is also apparent as a small service centre is included for maintaining the racing bikes.
1199 Telekom Race Cyclists and Winner's Podium is the largest of the four sets and includes a number of familiar features of the road race. A support vehicle follows the peloton to provide technical and tactical assistance while the podium offers the perfect spot for a celebration. Medals will be awarded at the Olympic Games but this set is based on the Tour de France so trophies are on offer along with the famous yellow jersey which is worn by the leader and the eventual winner.
We are aiming to post articles celebrating a wide range of Olympic sports and their LEGO representations over the next couple of weeks and hope that you enjoy them.
Are you watching the cycling road race today and would you like to see a couple of new bicycle racing sets in future? Let us know in the comments below.
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23 comments on this article
I'd love to see Chris Froome ride the Tour De France on a town bike. These Lego sets prove that it world look amazeballs.
This looks great, there may be a market for this type of sets down the line depending how they are integrated into the City theme (although to be honest the Friends line may have better idea than the main Lego line).
Nice little article, I wasn't aware of these sets! I look forward to the football one as there is lots to discuss there.
It's about time lego made a slightly more sporty bike or 2… though I don't know if minifig ergonomics would make it difficult.
I'm watching it now, and certainly wouldn't mind some road cycling sets
@GeordiePaul: it wouldn't be as good as Chris Froome running up Mont Ventoux XD
Nice article! I would love to see more types bikes in Lego city, or even some more colors like those pink ones released nowadays.
With the variety of motorcycles they've released, it should be possible to make different bicycles. I'd like a knobby tire mountain bike or a kids bike that worked with short legs
Yay for Belgium! First olympic medal!
Wohoo Belgium won! *proud* ;)
@wwward
the first gold olimpic medal of this year was for vietnam fot 10 m airbugs shooting men.
Well there's one marketing tie-in that I bet LEGO would like to go away.
W Italy!!!!
looking forward to the basketball article, always liked the minifigs with the springs in their legs
Where is the doctor's tent to clandestinely give the cyclists their boosting shots? :)
Surprised that you are using the term "olympic" and not receiving a take-down notice. Guess as long as it's not a leaked image of an unreleased set, it's all good, right?
Brickset needs to stay friendly with LEGO so they keep getting PR/marketing/press info, set to review etc. They dont need to care what the IOC has to say.
Oh and there are have been a number of cheaper sets featuring bicycles (including a City ambulance and a car & caravan set). Plus they are cheap-as-chips (in common colors like red anyway) on places like Bricklink. And you can get them cheap on Bricks & Pieces as well.
So its not like the bicycle element requires the purchase of expensive sets to get hold of one :)
It the IOC come after us, we'll deal with it. Until then, enjoy Chris's articles.
Huw- if the I0C come after you- rename the series "Quadrennial Greek Sports Event"
@ToddMyers - The word 'Olympic' is being used in a factual context in accordance with the guidelines laid out by the IOC.
I still enjoy an Olympic breakfast at the little chef.
Can't wait for the fencing article
http://thumbs3.picclick.com/d/l400/pict/262477378630_/LEGO-x-20-White-Fence-1-x-4.jpg
While I care nothing at all for the Olympics, beyond Women's Hockey, I do so enjoy a good CapnRex article, and this was certainly one. Looking forward to the rest, as well as the economy articles.
I've never heard about these cycling sets--good article! Looking forward to seeing more LEGO sports articles!
It would be cool if TLG made Olympic sets. It would be AWESOME!