The Union Cycliste International (UCI) is the world governing body of cycling as a sport encompassing road racing, track and mountain bike, cyclo-cross, BMX, trials, paracycling and indoor cycling. Founded in Paris in 1900 the organisation is now based in Aigle, Switzerland and is recognised by the IOC (International Olympic Committee).
The current President is Brian Cookson, former President of the British Cycling Federation, who took over from Pat McQuaid following a bitter election battle in 2013. At the time the UCI was still reeling from the aftershock of the Lance Armstrong confession and multiple allegations of corruption.
The UCI sets the regulations for the competitive aspects of the sport of cycling and oversees the enforcement of them from racing to anti-doping (the UCI is signed up the the WADA code) and equipment. All the rules can be downloaded from the UCI's website.
The Tour de France is the flagship event in the UCI's WorldTour calendar that includes all three Grand Tours as well as the one-day classics, Milan - San Remo, the Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, Liege-Bastogne-Liege and the Tour of Lombardy. The UCI's licence commission oversees the registration of professional cycling teams.
UCI world championships are held annually in each of the disciplines as well as World Cups (excluding men's road racing, but including women's). Road, track, mountain bike and BMX are the four cycling disciplines included in the Olympic programme.
External links: History of the UCI | UCI YouTube channel
Latest
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UCI hails 20% emissions reduction as it lays out sustainability plan
Report is part of world governing body’s commitment to reduce impact of its operations on environment
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‘Unprecedented’ television audiences revealed for cycling Super Worlds
Fans around the world watched more than 200 million hours in August
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Number of British women’s Continental teams set to double in 2024
Three British teams have applied to step up to UCI level next season
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UCI warns UK that banning Russians will hurt chances of hosting future events
UCI president David Lappartient reportedly says UK government does not trust the UCI will ensure Russian and Belarusian athletes will compete as neutrals in Scotland next month
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30-metre mattresses will be used on key Tour de France descent
Race organisers announce new safety measures on eve of Grand Départ in Bilbao
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UCI 'reopens consultation' around transgender athlete policy
The governing body says it will reach a decision this August
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UCI launches investigation into massive men's Tour of Flanders pileup
World governing body also investigating road-blocking team tactics used by DSM in the race as well as by Trek-Segafredo at Dwars door Vlaanderen
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‘Abuse has no place in our sport’ - UCI launches new integrity campaign
World governing body say new campaign is part of wider ‘cycling integrity’ programme, designed to ‘promote and strengthen integrity in cycling at all levels’
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Team bosses underwhelmed by 'symbolic' UCI rider development fee plan
The new rule will see development teams earn €2,000 a season once a rider signs to the WorldTour
