FAQ

SPORT

What are the different cycling disciplines?

Road, track, cyclo-cross, mountain bike, BMX, trial, indoor cycling (artistic cycling and cycle-ball) and paracycling. The list also includes cycling for all (races and rides open to the general public).

What results can be found on the UCI site?

For most disciplines, you will find comprehensive results of World Championships and World Cup events very quickly . The results of other races are also available.

How often are results updated on the UCI site?

The UCI site must be sure of the reliability of the information it contains. Results lists must therefore be rigorously checked before being published on the site, and this sometimes entails delays of several days, which however we try to limit as much as possible. The results of World Championships and World Cups, for their part, are generally available a matter of hours after the conclusion of the events.

Can the UCI tell me the address of my favourite riders?

The UCI cannot disclose riders’ addresses. To obtain them, you can make an enquiry to the National Federation with which the riders are licensed or to their teams. Their coordinates are available on our site (see Directory).

EVENTS

What events are organised by the UCI?

The cycling part of the Olympic Games, World Championships and World Cups for all disciplines, as well as races in the UCI Golden Bike series (cycling for all). The UCI does however delegate this task to an organiser (or organising committee), which it appoints or approves, and supervises. The UCI does not organise races such as the Grand Tours (Tour de France and similar events in Spain and Italy) and others (classics for example). These events are organised by private organisers. Their races are however included in the UCI international calendar and are governed in every respect by UCI Rules.

How do I go about obtaining accreditation for the World Championships organised by the UCI?

The UCI site has a facility for online accreditation (see Web services) for professionals (press, National Federations, teams, etc).

How can I enter my riders in a UCI event (World Championships and World Cups)?

The UCI site has an online entry form for most disciplines (see Web services).

How can I enter an event in the UCI international calendar?

This is done by National Federations. The UCI site makes available forms and documents on an ad hoc basis (see part reserved for National Federations).

INSTITUTIONAL

What is the UCI?

The UCI Statutes stipulate that:

1. The International Cycling Union (abbreviated as UCI) is the association of national cycling federations.

2. The UCI is an international, non profit-making and non-governmental association, officially recognised to be of international interest.

3. The headquarters of the UCI are in Switzerland (…).

Who founded the UCI?

Representatives of the following Federations (on 14 April 1900):

La Ligue Vélocipédique Belge (Belgium)

L‘Union Vélocipédique Italienne (Italy)

L’Union Cycliste Suisse (Switzerland)

The National Cycling Association (United States)

L’Union Vélocipédique de France (France)

L’Union des Sociétés Françaises de Sports Athlétiques (France)

What are the aims of the UCI?

The UCI Statutes specify that the aim of the UCI is:

a) to direct, develop, regulate, control and discipline cycling under all forms worldwide;

b) to promote cycling in all the countries of the world and at all levels;

c) to organise, for all cycling sport disciplines, world championships of which it is the sole holder and owner;

d) to encourage friendship between all members of the cycling world;

e) to promote sportsmanship and fair play;

f) to represent the sport of cycling and defend its interests before the International Olympic Committee and all national and international authorities;

g) to cooperate with the International Olympic Committee, in particular as regards the participation of cyclists in the Olympic Games.

Where are the headquarters of the UCI?

The address of the UCI headquarters is as follows:

Union Cycliste Internationale

1860 Aigle

Switzerland

Located originally in Paris, it was transferred to Geneva (1965), then to Lausanne (1993), before moving to Aigle. Since December 2001, the headquarters of the UCI have been in Aigle, in the Rhône plain, around 10 km from the eastern end of Lake Geneva, 45 km from the Olympic capital Lausanne, and 110 km from Geneva, in the World Cycling Centre (WCC).

Are there any UCI headquarters other than those in Aigle, Switzerland?

No. The UCI is not represented on a contintental or regional basis. What is the meaning of the abbreviation UCI and how is it translated? UCI stands for Union Cycliste Internationale. Regardless of language (for example English: International Cycling Union), the official abbreviation is always UCI.

How is the UCI organised?

The UCI represents the interests of more than 170 National Federations, 5 Continental Confederations, 1200 professional riders, 600,000 licensed riders, millions of cycle sport enthusiasts who train on a regular basis, and more than a billion bicycle users.

Its main organs are:

The Congress (supreme controlling body). It brings together each year representatives of recognised National Federations. It elects the Management Committee, to which it delegates responsibility for management of the UCI and which it may overrule if necessary. T

he Management Committee (decision-making body). Composed of 15 members, it meets three times a year. It assumes the comprehensive rights and responsibilities that allow it to undertake, without delay, any action imposed by events. It acts flexibly and quickly.

The Administrative Service (operational body). It is composed of professionals and former elite sportsmen and women, supported by experts who sit on committees. It is responsible for all operational tasks arising from the decisions of the Management Committee.

Why are the headquarters of the UCI in Aigle, Switzerland?

The Aigle site offers many advantages: in particular, the proximity of Geneva-Cointrin international airport, of Lausanne, the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and of numerous international sporting federations, as well as its central position in the heart of Europe; the environment of Aigle is ideal for practising the various cycling disciplines (lowland and alpine roads, cycle track, cyclo-cross track, training sites for mountain bikes, BMX track and hall for indoor cycling), a crucial condition for the location of its headquarters, since training programmes are organised in and around the World Cycling Centre (WCC), particularly for riders benefiting from solidarity grants.

What is the link between the UCI and the International Olympic Committee (IOC)?

The UCI organises cycling events at the Olympic Games on behalf of the IOC. It is also affiliated to the latter as an International Federation. In addition, it upholds and promotes the Olympic priniciples and ideals.

What is the UCI doing to develop cycling worldwide?

Working closely with Olympic Solidarity, the UCI has set up training programmes for young riders from countries that do not yet have the resources allowing them to reach the highest levels. These programmes are run at the World Cycling Centre (WCC) in Aigle. The UCI also organises training seminars for trainers and managers, and supports various solidarity and development initiatives.

What is the WCC?

WCC is short for the World Cycling Centre. The WCC is the infrastructure that houses in particular the administrative headquarters of the UCI, as well as the educational and training centre of its Sports Practise Department.

For further information, click here

HISTORY

Where can I find information on the history of the bicycle?

The UCI  published a book, "A tribute to the sport of cycling", to coincide with its centenary in 2000, which you can purchase for 47 Swiss francs (30 Euros) and in which you will find a chapter devoted to this subject.

Where can I find information on the history of the UCI?

You can refer to the section in the UCI site devoted to this subject. The UCI also published a book, "A tribute to the sport of cycling" to coincide with its centenary in 2000, which you can purchase for 47 Swiss francs (30 Euros) and in which you will find a chapter devoted to this subject.

RULES

Why doesn’t the UCI modify its rules to encourage technical innovations enabling cyclists to go faster?

UCI Equipment Rules (Part. 1, chap. III) are concerned essentially with protecting the safety of riders and the public and ensuring the long-term future of cycling, in accordance with its tradition. Sensible innovations are of course accepted (derailleur, automatic pedal, gear change on handlebar, etc). To find out more, refer to the Lugano Charter, which outlines arguments underpinning the Rules.

Can I obtain a copy of the UCI Statutes and Rules?

These are available priced at 70 Swiss francs (45 Euros). The UCI Statutes and Rules can however be accessed in full on the UCI site, where they are updated at least three times a year (after meetings of the Management Committee, ie in January, July and October). A visit to the web site is strongly recommended. Indeed, the hard copy version of the UCI Statutes and Rules, printed once a year, is quickly becoming obsolete.

WEB SITE: CONTENT AND COPYRIGHT

Why is the www.uci.ch site available in French and English only?

In accordance with the UCI Statutes (chap. XIV, art. 79), its "official languages (…) are French and English". The UCI will try to make basic documents accessible in other languages, such as the Rules for example, by means of links to texts translated by its National Federations.

Am I permitted to use text and graphics from the www.uci.ch site?

That depends. The UCI authorises the printing and reproduction of publications and articles appearing on its site for private use. For public use, the source must be clearly indicated. However, content subject to copyright such as photos, logos and banners may not be used without the prior approval of the UCI. All requests for authorisation must be addressed to the latter in writing. Unauthorised use may result in legal proceedings.

Why does the UCI site place the emphasis on World Cups and World Championships and not other races, for example the Tour de France?

World Championships and World Cups are labels owned by the UCI. In the case of the World Championships, the UCI itself is the organiser, although it does delegate operational aspects to a committee of its choosing. Races such as the Tour de France are owned by private organisers; they are however staged under the aegis of the UCI.

ANTIDOPING AND HEALTH PROMOTION

What is the UCI doing to combat doping and promote the health of cyclists?

Our anti-doping programme is recognised as one of the most comprehensive and effective in the world. It covers all the cycling disciplines and is continually being improved.

The programme has two objectives:

- To detect doping,

- To deter riders from resorting to doping.

An effective anti-doping programme should act as a deterrent and should also expose cheats. As our programme becomes increasingly effective, it is possible that the number of anti-doping rule violations and thus the visibility of doping within the sport may increase. We accept this consequence. Removing the cheats from the sport is essential to deter others and we are determined to take the tough measures necessary.

“100% Against Doping” is the UCI programme developed specifically for our professional road sector. The strength of “100% Against Doping “ lies in the fact that it combines several different elements: urine and blood anti-doping controls, blood screens (which enable the rider’s haematological parameters to be analysed), strong and consistent sanctions, education, communication and collaboration with stakeholders.

For 2008, as an important new element to “100% Against Doping”, we have introduced the biological passport for riders in UCI ProTeams and UCI Professional Continental teams who are successful in gaining a Wild Card Label. The passport is an individual electronic record for each rider which includes their haematological and steroid profiles. From these profiles individual limits will be set for each person, thereby enabling much greater accuracy in detecting manipulation compared with a system which relies on population based limits.

In 2008 each rider in the Passport Program will have:

• 12 blood tests, at least 10 of which will be out-of-competition,

• 4 urine tests, at least 3 of which will be out-of-competition,

• in-competition blood and urine tests pursuant to our Anti Doping Rules,

• additional out-of-competition tests as required for follow-up or targeted testing.

The professional road riders who are on the Passport Programme are part of the UCI Registered Testing Pool (RTP) which consists of the top ranked riders from all cycling disciplines as well as riders about whom we have particular concerns. Over 800 riders are included in the RTP which is updated throughout the year. These riders have to comply with a strict programme of providing us whereabouts information so that we can perform out-of-competition tests at any time during the year.

Riders outside the RTP are also tested in accordance with our rules. This includes in-competition testing and intelligence based targeted testing of certain riders.

In terms of sanctions, the UCI applies the rules stipulated by the World Anti-Doping Code: a rider that cheats is liable to a 2-year suspension for his or her first anti-doping rule violation. A second serious anti-doping rule violation will normally result in a life suspension.

As well as testing and profiling we strongly believe that rider education plays a key part in its anti-doping programme. For example we have recently worked closely with the riders in the Passport Program to assist them in managing the greatly increased level of whereabouts information for the 2008 season. During 2008 an interactive DVD, on-line learning experience will be developed to assist riders understand the rules, ethical dilemmas and health issues associated with doping.

We also believe that positive engagement from the riders and teams is essential. This is why in 2007 we worked with them when we launched the initiative “Commitment to a New Cycling” which we continue to support for the 2008 season. We also work closely with the team representatives, the AIGCP, who have developed the ProTeam Code of Conduct which addresses doping as a key issue for the integrity of professional cycling.

The UCI anti-doping service, managed by Anne Gripper has nine full-time members of staff, including well-known medical and scientific adviser, Dr Mario Zorzoli. The service collaborates closely with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and national bodies in the delivery of our programme. In particular WADA and the French Ministry of Sport are partners with the UCI on the implementation of haematological profiles which form part of the biological passport.

Where can I find a list of substances and methods prohibited by the UCI?

The list of substances and methods prohibited by the UCI  is available on the UCI web site under the Health/Antidoping section of all disciplin

MARKETING

Who holds the broadcasting rights for UCI events?

For World Championships, the UCI. For World Cups, generally the UCI.

Please contact us if you have any questions.

What is meant by "Official UCI partner"?

Official UCI partners are companies that enjoy an excellent reputation at an international level, whose backing contributes to the success of UCI activities. In exchange for their support, the UCI guarantees them certain exclusive marketing rights to its events. The list of official UCI partners is available on its site (for example by clicking on the partners banner on the homepage).

MERCHANDISING

Where can I obtain video cassettes of World Championships, World Cups and other major races?

Due to legal and logistical restrictions, the UCI does not sell this type of product to the general public. Professional use is possible subject to purchase of the approriate rights.

Please contact us if you wish to acquire the rights to images owned by the UCI.

Can I obtain stickers, pens, badges and other UCI promotional articles?

The UCI has a limited quantity of such articles available. For logistical reasons, these products are available only in Aigle, from the UCI headquarters, and cannot be dispatched to you.

Can the UCI provide me with photos of riders?

The UCI is unable to distribute this type of photo free of charge on a large scale. With regard to photos appearing on our site, we suggest that you contact the photographer directly, using the coordinates indicated. You can find the web site addresses of photographers under contract to the UCI in the "Link” section of our site.

Can I buy books on cycling from the UCI?

The UCI does not sell books, except the one it published to mark its Centenary, which traces the institutional history of cycling and its main competitions, as well as the main stages in the development of the bicycle. “A tribute to the sport of cycling” is available priced at 47 Swiss francs (30 Euros).

Can the UCI send me documentation?

The UCI has a limited stock of documents. For logistical reasons, it recommends that you consult documents online when these are available on the site.