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 announces teams for the 2022 WorldTour with six new women's teams joining the top tier
The women's top division of the sport is growing every year with yet more teams joining
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UCI reveals it has refused Qhubeka-NextHash's WorldTour licence for 2022
The South African team has struggled with financial issues for the last few years
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UCI joins calls for governments to invest in cycling to battle carbon emissions
Cycling's governing body joined the ECF and others to write to governments attending COP26 in Glasgow
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UCI reveals final overall rankings for the 2021 season
No surprises in who has come out on top in both the men's and women's tables
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UCI partners with FIFA and other organisations to evacuate 165 Afghan refugees
The operation was helped by owner of Israel Start-Up Nation, Sylvan Adams
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UCI announces gravel World Championships, new cyclocross format and 'the development of snow bike'
Gravel cycling has gained huge popularity in the last few years with the UCI hoping to harness that for new races
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No other candidates come forward meaning David Lappartient to remain UCI president for four more years
The Frenchman was first elected in 2017, replacing Briton Brian Cookson
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Team director banned by UCI for sexual harassment
Marc Bracke was found guilty of breaking cycling’s code of ethics after allegations were made by two riders
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Women’s WorldTour rider salaries increase by 25 per cent, according to UCI
One year after Women’s WorldTeams were introduced, the governing body praises ‘positive impact on women riders’
