A prologue is a very short individual time trial that starts a major multi-day bicycle race. These events usually cover less than five miles through a city center. The goal is to introduce the riders to the crowd and award the first leader’s jersey.
Every cyclist starts one by one and races against the clock at maximum speed. Because the distance is so short, the time gaps between riders are often tiny. It is a high-intensity blast of speed that requires a thorough warm-up on stationary trainers. Winners of a prologue are usually specialists who can produce massive power for a few minutes.
For example, a top sprinter might win the Tour de France prologue to wear the yellow jersey on day one. It sets the tone for the rest of the competition without tiring the athletes too much. Fans love the close-up action and fast speeds.
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