Basket
The International Cycling Union, commonly known as UCI, governs the cycling system worldwide, in cooperation with the federations of each nation. It's an essential body! It drives the development of cycling-related sports activities and introduces innovative race formats, such as the World Team Time Trial Championship Mixed Relay. Let's zoom in on the indispensable UCI, the universal reference in cycling.
The International Cycling Union in brief
The International Cycling Union oversees the eight disciplines of cycling on a global scale:
- road cycling;
- track cycling;
- mountain biking;
- cyclo-cross;
- trial;
- BMX racing;
- BMX freestyle;
- indoor cycling.
The UCI works in collaboration with the 197 national federations it encompasses. This governing body represents both competitive sports and leisure riding and cycling as a means of transport.
Its foundation dates back over a century. It was in 1900 that the sports federations of five countries decided to create it in Paris. These countries were France, the United States, Belgium, Switzerland, and Italy.
The UCI headquarters is located in Switzerland, in the town of Aigle. Frenchman David Lappartient has served as president since 2017. Today, the UCI brings together two billion participants, millions of cycling enthusiasts, one million licensed riders, and over 1500 professional racers.
The main missions of the UCI
Since its inception, the International Cycling Union has played a key role in the globalisation of professional and amateur cycling, traditionally rooted in Europe. Indeed, its policy revolves around a specific goal: promoting cycling in all its forms.
Its fundamental missions consist of:
- Encouraging and making more accessible the use of bicycles daily as a leisure activity or eco-friendly means of transportation. To this end, the UCI offers programs called "cycling for all".
- Preserving the ethics and integrity of the sport, and embodying its universal values.
- Supporting the development of women's cycling and advancing gender equality in the cycling landscape.
- Banning all forms of discrimination by promoting diversity and inclusion.
- Establishing various race regulations, notably concerning team equipment.
- Planning and orchestrating the UCI World Cups and the UCI World Championships.
- Setting the dates for the official international calendar for each discipline.
- Ensuring the implementation of an effective anti-doping program.
Additionally, the UCI takes part in organizing the Olympic events alongside the IOC and provides training.
The various UCI competitions
As the international governing body of cycling, the UCI organises world championships for each of the eight disciplines and manages their organization. Riders compete for the title and the iconic rainbow jersey through individual or team events.
A unique competition will debut in 2023: the UCI Cycling World Championships. All disciplines will be represented. Join us in Glasgow and across Scotland to witness this historic first edition!
Other major events are also the result of the International Cycling Union: the World Cups (in MTB, BMX, track, trial, cycle-ball, and cyclo-cross). These consist of a series of events spread throughout the season.
There used to be a Road Cycling World Cup, but it was removed from the calendar in 2004, after 16 editions. Since then, three new road competitions have been held under the UCI's aegis:
- The UCI World Tour, formerly known as the UCI ProTour: this prestigious circuit is reserved for the elite. Indeed, the 35 labeled races are only open to professional WorldTeams (except by invitation).
- The UCI ProSeries: a new division of races created following a reform, one tier below the World Tour.
- The Continental Circuits: totaling five (one for each continent), these complement the calendar and are accessible to Continental Teams and ProTeams.
The UCI World Cycling Center
In 2002, the UCI unveiled the World Cycling Center (CMC), based in Aigle, Switzerland. It notably hosts the headquarters of the International Cycling Union.
The CMC is a high-level training complex for the cycling elite, equipped with numerous multi-sport facilities. Athletes benefit, among other things, from a 200 m wooden velodrome, a 250 m synthetic athletics track, a BMX supercross track, and a 1800 m2 multi-purpose space.
The CMC is also a training centre. Various programs, courses, and seminars are offered to sports stakeholders: coaches, mechanics, sports directors, rider assistants, commissaires, and national federations.
Good news: the CMC opens its doors to the general public! You can even try your hand at track cycling or experience the thrill of BMX with an instructor.
