Union Cycliste Internationale facts for kids
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| Abbreviation | UCI |
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| Formation | 14 April 1900 |
| Founded at | Paris, France |
| Type | Sports federation |
| Headquarters | Aigle, Switzerland |
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Region served
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Worldwide |
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President
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David Lappartient |
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Main organ
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Congress |
| Affiliations | International Olympic Committee |
The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) is the main organization that controls and manages the sport of cycling around the world. It is often called the International Cycling Union. The UCI is based in Aigle, Switzerland.
The UCI gives out racing licenses to cyclists. It also makes sure everyone follows the rules, including rules against doping. The UCI organizes many different types of cycling races. These include road cycling, track cycling, mountain biking, cyclo-cross, gravel, and BMX. They manage events for both men and women, and for both amateur and professional riders. The UCI also runs the exciting World Championships.
After the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the UCI decided that teams from Russia and Belarus could not compete in international events. They also moved any planned events out of Russia and Belarus.
Contents
History of the UCI
The UCI started on April 14, 1900, in Paris, France. It was founded by cycling groups from Belgium, the United States, France, Italy, and Switzerland. The UCI took over from an older group called the International Cycling Association (ICA). This happened because of a disagreement about how many teams Great Britain could have at world championships.
At first, 30 countries joined the UCI. Not all countries had the same voting power. Some had more votes based on how many cycling tracks they had. France had the most votes with 18.
In 1965, the UCI created two separate groups. One was for amateur cyclists (FIAC) and one for professional cyclists (FICP). This was because the Olympics was only for amateur athletes back then. The UCI helped coordinate both groups.
The amateur group (FIAC) was much larger. It had 127 member countries. This group helped cycling be part of the Olympic Games. In 1992, the UCI brought the amateur and professional groups back together. The combined UCI then moved to Aigle, Switzerland.
In 2004, the UCI built a 200-meter indoor cycling track. This track is part of the World Cycling Centre next to its headquarters.
In September 2007, the UCI announced a big step. For the first time, a major cycling event outside Europe got special "ProTour" status. This event was the Tour Down Under in Adelaide, Australia.
In 2013, Tracey Gaudry made history. She became the first woman to be appointed as a vice president of the UCI.
In May 2023, the UCI made a new decision. They approved a way for Russian and Belarusian riders to compete again. They could join UCI events as "Individual Neutral Athletes." This means they would not represent their countries.
World Championships
The UCI organizes the World Championships for cycling. These big events are given to different member countries to host. The first championships were for road and track cycling.
The winners of a UCI World Championship get a special prize. They are awarded a rainbow jersey. This jersey is white with five colored stripes across the chest. A cyclist can only wear this jersey when competing in the same type of race they won. They wear it until the next World Championship event. Former champions can show their past win by wearing rainbow colors on their clothing cuffs and collar.
Cycling Records
The UCI also keeps track of cycling records. These records were first set on the track. They included records for different types of bikes. These were solo bikes, two-person bikes (tandems), and unusual machines. One unusual type was the recumbent bicycle, where the rider lies down.
However, in 1934, the UCI banned recumbent bikes from competitions and record attempts. Later, they also made rules about how riders could position themselves on the bike. In 2000, they banned bike frames that did not have a seat tube.
Cycling Disciplines
The UCI oversees many exciting types of cycling.
Road Racing
Road racing involves cyclists competing on public roads.
Men's Road Racing
The UCI organizes the UCI Road World Championships for men. The road race started in 1921, and the time trial began in 1994. The UCI also manages the top-level UCI World Tour races. The best men's teams are called UCI WorldTeams. They must take part in all World Tour races.
From 1989 to 2004, the UCI ran the UCI Road World Cup. This was a series of major one-day professional races. In 2005, it was replaced by the UCI ProTour. This series included famous races like the Tour de France. Later, the ProTour changed and became the UCI World Tour in 2011.
The UCI also created the UCI Continental Circuits. These are series of races for different regions of the world. They help grow professional road bicycle racing globally.
Women's Road Racing
The UCI also organizes the UCI Road World Championships for women. The women's road race started in 1959, and the time trial in 1994. The top-level races for women are part of the UCI Women's World Tour. The best women's teams are called UCI Women's WorldTeams. They are invited to all World Tour races.
From 1998 to 2015, the UCI Women's Road World Cup was a series of elite one-day events. In 2016, this was replaced by the UCI Women's World Tour. This new series includes both one-day and multi-day stage races.
Track Cycling
Track cycling races happen on special indoor or outdoor tracks called velodromes. The UCI Track Cycling World Championships offer individual and team titles for men and women. The UCI Track Cycling World Cup is a series of elite races held throughout the season.
Para-cycling Track
The UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships are for men and women with disabilities. They compete in various track cycling events.
Cyclo-cross
Cyclo-cross is a type of bicycle racing that takes place in autumn and winter. Riders race on short, muddy courses with obstacles. The UCI organizes the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup. This is a series of one-day races in different countries. Each year, the UCI also holds the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships. This event decides the world champions for different age groups.
Mountain Bike Racing
Mountain bike racing involves riding bicycles off-road, often on rough terrain. The UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships is the most important mountain bike competition each year. It includes cross-country and downhill races. This event also has world championship events for bike trials riding.
The UCI Mountain Bike World Cup is a series of races held every year since 1991. Since 2024, the UCI has also organized the UCI Snow Bike World Championships. This is a type of mountain bike racing on an alpine skiing course.
BMX Racing
BMX racing is a type of bicycle motocross. Riders race on dirt tracks with jumps and obstacles. The season-long competition is called the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup. The UCI BMX World Championships is the one-day event to find the world champions.
Trials
Trials is a unique cycling sport. It focuses on balance and control of the bike in difficult situations. Speed is also important. The first UCI Trials World Championships took place in 1986. The UCI Trials World Youth Games is a big international event for young riders under 16.
Indoor Cycling
The UCI supports world championships for artistic cycling and cycle ball. These events are held annually at the UCI Indoor Cycling World Championships. Artistic cycling is like gymnastics on a bike. Cycle ball is a team sport similar to soccer, but played on bicycles.
Gravel Cycling
Since 2022, the UCI has started to support Gravel cycling events. This type of cycling combines elements of road and mountain biking. It takes place on unpaved roads and trails. The first UCI Gravel World Championships were held in 2022.
Bike Polo
It has been announced that Grass Bike Polo will be part of the UCI Cycling World Championships in 2027. Grass Bike Polo was even an exhibition sport at the 1908 London Olympic Games. It is different from Hardcourt Bike Polo, which has its own competitions.
Membership
The UCI works with cycling groups from different continents. These groups are called confederations:
- Asian Cycling Confederation – ACC
- Union Européenne de Cyclisme – UEC (European Cycling Union)
- Oceania Cycling Confederation – OCC
- Confederación Panamericana de Ciclismo – COPACI (Pan American Cycling Confederation)
- Confédération Africaine de Cyclisme – CAC (African Cycling Confederation)
These continental groups then work with national cycling federations in each country.
See also
In Spanish: Unión Ciclista Internacional para niños
- The Cyclists' Alliance
