UCI
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 revises points system to give more weighting to Grand Tours and Monuments
Cycling's governing body publishes major changes to its points scale for the coming three-year cycle
By Tom Davidson • Published
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UCI boosts anti-doping funding by 35%
Financial backing of anti-doping programme to rise by 35 percent over the next two years
By Tom Thewlis • Published
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Opinion: The UCI is failing on climate change that's why vague promises are all it can offer
A promising start from the world governing body, although pledges still feel a little weak
By Tom Thewlis • Published
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Lava in the metaverse - Five things we want to see from a virtual Track Champions League
The competition is becoming more and more immersive, so here are a few suggestions
By Tom Davidson • Published
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Tailwind heaven: Moroccan one-day race tops 56km/h average speed
Strong Saharan winds propel riders at Grand Prix Sakia El Hamra
By Tom Davidson • Published
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Nairo Quintana to leave Arkéa-Samsic, six weeks after signing new contract
The Colombian is currently appealing his Tour de France disqualification
By Tom Davidson • Published
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Nino Schurter claims astonishing tenth mountain bike world title
The Swiss rider is considered the greatest of all time.
By Tom Davidson • Published
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It's time we had a serious, adult discussion about cycling's appalling impact on the environment so here are eight achievable proposals
No more pretending that we care; it's time to implement these measures to make an actual difference
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Last updated
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Glasgow needs you: UCI World Championships seek volunteers for 2023
The event, scheduled for August 2023, will be the largest cycling world championships in history.
By Tom Davidson • Published
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